France's arms race: Defence industry on war footing • FRANCE 24 English
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ม.ค. 2024
- When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine's Western allies committed to sending weapons, ammunition and military hardware to Kyiv. In France, this has meant a major increase in industrial production. French President Emmanuel Macron has said France has entered a "wartime economy", whereby the defence industry is producing more and faster than before. But what does a "wartime economy" actually mean in practice? And how is the "Made in France" arms industry trying to adapt to this increased demand? FRANCE 24's Claire Paccalin and Fadile Bhayat report.
#Ukraine #France #military
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France was right to maintain production even at a reduced level. Best wishes for increasing production in 2024😊
Wishes? It's a matter of willpower.
Same for the US and germany, the problem is we are lacking willpower. We need to ramp production to at least ten times. I'm not knocking the people of france but I feel all of our governments could be doing better to help ramp up production.
@@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusketIt's not easy to get qualified people, machinery tools, money and materials in short term. Months, even years are needed to get new production facilities.
@@milosmilojevic3506 While that may not be easy we always can import those people from friendly nations. And we can hire retired people if needed and possible. We could also take civilian industry people who do similar things and let them do that job so learning curve would be far less. We could also develop not so sophisticated systems that are easier and faster to produce and make them as stop gap measure since Ukraine for example needs material now and will make it work even with lower quality material because hey that is what they are operating even now.
Frances annual total 155mm production is about 1/3 of what germany started to do since 2022.
France produces around 300k 155mm rounds, germany close to a million.
With France being among the 3 largest weapons exporters of the world, its hghly embarrasing to contribute less than 1/10 of the german contribution to ukraines aid.
In Military Goods, france barely delivered more than Estonia
@@zhufortheimpaler4041 I thought whole EU failed to reach a million last year?
Thank you France.
Great stuff!
From New Zealand - gooooo FRANCE!
🇨🇵 🇨🇵 🇨🇵 🇨🇵 🇨🇵 🇨🇵 🇨🇵 🇨🇵 🇨🇵 🇨🇵
Greeting from France to New Zealand
I think people are starting to understand that human nature has not changed. We have the same brain, emotions and desires that people had 1000 years ago. And with this comes the same problems. There is no secure situation when it comes to countries. Leaderships changes, alliances are made and broken, and any country that does not have a standing army and stockpiles to use this army will eventually regret it. We have been lucky in Europe to avoid these threats for many years, but history has taught us that eventually it will happen again. And countries that are not ready will be easy picking.
people that think like you make this self fulfilling. they are against progress and like to stay with tradition.
Its not about tradition. Its about the fact that the world is a dangerous place because just because one person is peace loving does not guaranty that his neighbor is the same. Putting your head in the sand does not protect you if another country ends up with a aggressive leader. @@Krack2805
@@Krack2805 What do you mean by "progress"?
@@iotaje1In Europe progress is about peace, economic prosperity, infrastructure and further integration.
@@RazorMouth And which countries in Europe do you feel are the most peaceful and prosperous?
One would think that “war footing” means to x10 the production of weapons, not x2.
The Finnish APC manufacturer Patria is on its way to x10 its vehicle production in 5y but that still is not fast enough to be real war economy level. 100 billion magnitude investments across EU are sorely needed.
what war is france fighting? 🤡
Return to your rock, comrade.@@rexiioper6920
True, but this is only the beginning. Production is going to ramp up much faster in the near future.
@@rexiioper6920 France is not fighting a war, its preparing for one.
To be precise, Belgium ordered 19 Caesar NG and 24 Griffon MEPAC (modified to have a 120mm howitzer) at the end of 2023, in addition to previous orders. Belgium had already ordered at least 382 “normal” Griffon APC version in 2018.
Well done France! It makes sense for the various EU countries to specialise in certain types of weapons, and then sell them to each other. 👍 🇨🇵
BUT France does NOT WANT to buy just SELL!
sadly most of France's exports are outside the EU, European countries prefer getting equipment from the USA :/
@@trevorhart545France does have German rifles (HK416 F) and a few US drones, but since France makes almost everything it needs, why would it buy things from other countries? it buys from itself
At Ukraine he is giving for now, like all the countries that continue to give money and equipment for hundreds of millions of euros, which would be much more useful to the people.
I agree, European states should coordinate defense procurement and development (or, better yet, adopt an E.U.-level defense structure). Sadly, many Europeans still think at the national, rather than continental, level.
Very well done France - thank you..!!
All the gratitude goes to the Russians. New jobs, new innovations and more boom in the logistics services
Increase budget for defence means cuts elsewhere
@@MalikenNLkind of a rollback to what it was like 20 years ago no? Defense has been getting cut enough
@@MalikenNL fair point, i guess we’ll see how people respond
@@othellox1064 and the east is still poor
@@othellox1064 the west is innovating, but you just keep your enlightened attitude and see how the investements of the west slowly go back into the west while those they formerly invested into may therefor stagnate. Judging how China suddenly wants to reassure with its charm offensiv they already feel that sting.
I remember their Mirage III0’s we had down under... we called them Miracles!
They were also called fast lady by the Australian pilots
Europe getting back into the real world, producing actual real things
@@phillipbanes5484, did you miss that is a trend among other European countries as it is in France?
@@phillipbanes5484missing the point, apparently.
@@phillipbanes5484 Sorry to say it, but you are the wrong one in this conversation.
@@phillipbanes5484. Drop the attitude. It's not welcome.
Now it just needs to start producing babies.
I know that the Australian Mulwala "Propellent" Facility is working overtime to supply France. I used to sell them EXD electric motors that do not create electric sparks that could cause an explosion.
There was indeed an agreement between France and Australia for the production of one million 155 mm artillery shells.
The completely idiotic European laws prohibited the manufacture of powder on European territory for a vague excuse of pollution or whatever other unfounded stupidity.
But hey, nothing to worry about, a mega powder production factory is being set up in the south west of France.
Thats interesting!
Where were the EXD motors made?
Excellent news France finally opened her eyes that needs NOT increase, but 10-times increase and speed, speed, speed, and speed! Super well done indeed France! USA
Not too much speed, because when you speedup too much much, you're losing in precision and quality.
I think if you say this you don't know the French defense industry. They are the third largest arms sellers after the USA and Russia. Also they have a huge amount of government owned companies in defence.
Love those Caesars!
I don't think people realize what a ceasar in action really means, 155mm are no joke and it is mighty elusive and precise. If it reaches a highway it goes at 110 km/h which is super fast on the battlefield, gets you out of range quickly.
The USA is thinking of buying Caesars to replace the m777. So not the only one who likes them.
Viva la France 🇫🇷 ♥️
That's cruel making robots pick up very hot things.
"High production levels" - basically doing the minimum needed.
i think its the same everywhere right now production trying to go up but its slow
Better to be a bit slow when we are talking about chimicals and explosive.
Despite being urgent at the same time...
100 or 200 MRAPs is pretty much nothing for a country of France's size. I'd expect 200 for a country the size (population) of Sweden.
Good job with the artillery, though. Finland also used to the make artillery (155mm), but these days it seems like the defence forces wants to buy it all from abroad. At least ammunition is still made in Finland, and the manufacturing is running at 100% and being expanded, just like everywhere in Europe that still retains such manufacturing after years of peace. Heavy mortars are still being made in Finland. Better than nothing, I guess, but I wish howitzers were as well.
it is hard to believe that automation pioneere like Europe does not negotiate a collaborate production line somewhere in Europe. A state of art artilleri production line for whole of Europe. It will be much more effective than decentral production of less automated handling. It would pay of in no time!
I'm glad to hear this.
the production of a year will last at least for 2-3 weeks of intense combat😅
How do you know?
That's true for the other side too.
This is one factory. There are another ones.
Given that the French were invaded twice last century, and the scars are still very much visible, I'm not entirely surprised.
I thought they had the most won wars in history.
They have the most won battles in history. Their track record on actual wars is less rosy.@@arbit3r
@@arbit3r France is a bit older than 100 years you know.
@@wai828 I had no idea. I thought they were founded last year.
@@wai8286 republics and 3 empires and counting
When a company say they have hard time recruting it just mean they pay under the market.
I've used to work for subcontractors and work on electronic boards for the rafale they've never paid me enough to stay with them even if i like what i was doing. For exemple i'd be making more money driving a tractor in a farm ir driving a bus than doing high skiled electronic technician tasks on a rafale extremly high quality pcb board.
i'd even make more money fixing washing machines.
Even going back to the 1980s, Loral has always done very well!
It's heartening to know that Macron's France has the foresight to recognise the need for adequate military resources being produced in France and has made the necessary finance available.
Its rather depressing to know that UK has consistently being reducing it's military capability.
You’re partially correct that the UK has decreased its military capabilities, - the the army - gradually focusing more on it’s special forces.
However, they have spent more on their armed force as % of its GDP than France for years and is currently doing so by spending 2.2% vs Frances 1.9. Ish
Britain has invested in it’s navy (this includes new ships, nuclear submarines and it’s aircraft carriers) because as it’s an island (and with the Atlantic to patrol, and it’s nuclear deterrent) it needs this, but sadly this has been at the expense of the army (this bit you are defo correct)
I’m glad too France has (finally) recognised the need to increase its military resources too.
@@jimmy7494 The contraction of our armed forces, both land, sea & air is indisputable leaving us with less equipment and personnel than has ever been the case in modern history. The US is still flying Harriers until such time as adequate numbers of F35's are available to replace them. The reduction to 15 frigate/destroyers is lamentable, the army's 72k officers & men compared to 900k in 1939 bares no comparison. Undoubtedly the cost effectivenes ratio isn't the same but we now have a population nearly double the size of that in '39 contributing to defence. Maybe reference to 2.9% of GDP in 1936, 3.75% in 1938 and 9% in 1939 gave an increasing leverage to an increasing threat.
Only by leeching European money fella.
@@indiakilo3929 As France is one of the largest economy's in the EU subsidising orher as we did, that is rather a false statement dilly.
Most people, when they buy new cloth, they donate or give away the old ones. This rule helps you keep your house in a nice shape.
Not a minute too late.
France knows.
I sure hope France kicks it into high gear. I know they're capable and so are we (US) and all of us together should be able to fill any kind of orders
Vite! Vite! Toujours vite!
No such thing as Defense Industry on war footing. Society at large must be on war footing : rationing other industries and consumption, in favour of arms production, converion of other factory to produce arms, radical change in govt budget etc. Is this happening ? If only arms industry go from 1 shift to 3 shifts, that's not war footing.
Actually there is, but you wouldn't know much about french standards.
I hope France do a arms business and transfer of technology with a Indonesia in well condition
No Indonesia supports russia, hamas and are Muslims
According to the report this factory could produce 160k shells per year. To get sense of the proportions Ukraine spent around 5k per day, or even more during offensive. Now they probably have only low single digit thousands per day. Russia probably few times more, maybe even ten thousand per day.
To sum up the numbers: around million shells is necessary for Ukraine just to sustain its operations. Five factories like this one.
Not the same shell, not the same use.
Artillery use from Russia (majority of Ukraine systems), is still the old WW1/WW2 doctrine.
While modern artillery use less shell by having a way better accuracy and longer range (you need less shell for the same goal when we talk about hitting something and not just the shock tactic).
Although I think both are necessary, if the old doctrine can still be used by modern systems, it comes at a cost because of the huge costs and the quality of the systems and munitions.
@@hermes6910 I agree. We saw during this war that neither doctrinal approach is perfect. Russians spent huge amount of artillery ammunition during the first year of the war to saturate large areas. It is very resource consuming but it isn't without merits.
From the other hand precise strikes with HIMARS in pin point fashion or with M777 are effective to bring Russian offensive to halt, but not good enough to break through defensive lines.
The balance between the two different approaches is the key question. Combined with tactical skill of concrete units on the ground.
@milosmilojevic3506 All countries which belong to NATO are providing Ukraine, not only France !
Any new tanks ?
Hhmmm seems like some sort of a plan behind this !
Hopefully there is no need to increase arms production in 2024
200 vehicles produced in 8 yrs 😂😂😂😂
Europe as a whole needs to work together to keep defence capabilities high enough to deter Putin. France can lead the way, but everyone must step up by either joining the manufacturing effort or buying from those who manufacture to help keep output high. Trimming budgets on the back of defence is madness.
Might be making more arms,,not getting involved in any action though.
We must secure the arsenal of democracy and deter these dictators.
Thank you France true heros
🇫🇷👍🙂
This plant will supply about 1 month of Ukraine's needs which I read was around 5000 a day. New plant being built in Gwent Wales for shells for M777. Every one must help.
Rhein Metall builds a new plant in Germany.
We needed to build up individual infrastructure years ago. Relying on your enemy to produce your products is shear madness.
In the US Biden has already invested heavily in US infrastructure and we now also have a factory boom.
I've been commeting that for years! The west's business gurus sent all our production power overseas to have it cheaper and more profitable.
@@josefreitas6824 There is a huge factory boom going on in the US right now. Look it up. Manufacturing is coming back to the US.
@@SelfProclaimedEmperor I has to otherwise we (the whole west) won't be able to produce anything
Viva la France 🇫🇷
Vive
how they mesure productivity ? ded people / unit ? are they proud ?
love how they use armored cars more than mbts! mobility and agression versus protection.
France, go ahead! Bravo!
I keep hearing how loved the Caesar are in Ukraine. France might have an export darling there.
France is not really in war economy, because all usual goods are manufactured as before. Only war industry factories have raised their production on a 7/7 24/24 mode. Whatever we can do, it won't be enough at this time to save Ukraine. We need more countries to help.
🇫🇷💪🏻
At first, сovid - the pharmaceutical industry was helped. Now wars are helping the military-industrial complex of the world. Nothing personal, just business.
Good. Viva La France!
Ty France
Slava Ukraina
ok
NO NO NO. We dont want war.
Thank you, France. We, Ukrainians, also strategically interested in relaunch and boost the France-Italy military microelectronics(chips).
An extremely vise decision. So many countries could learn from this
Vive la France 🇫🇷
Frances' labor force is unproductive. A standard 35hr workweek and at 6 weeks vacation time. They probably have the same problems with educated workforce as other western countries.
We are actually among the most productive in the world. Many countries work 40+ hours per week with less vacations for the same output or less.
War footing?
These military facilities have to be nationalised but find a way to have private operators involved due to corruptions and spies, so it is a very difficult business model??
Just nationalise them, otherwise you have zero hope of competing with Russia
The france are very good friend country of the philippines
Well, someone in Europe needs to contribute their own defense.
Weatern Europe has been asleep at the wheel. Hopefully they have woken up in time!
160k a year? Ukraine can shoot 20-30k (if they didn't keep losing lot of artillery) a day at maximum.
This is a drop in the bucket. A few weeks supply, maybe a month if stretched out lol.
It's not like France is fighting Russia alone you know...
why aren't these factory's nationalised? mind boggles
Workload and knowhow sharing between nato alies, this is more effective
Cuz factories in private hands are more effective, though they provide no job opportunities for merited politicians.
The only thing that matters is which is more effective and efficient. If private companies produce more product on time and under budget, then the society should utilise them. If the only advantage to state ownership is ideology.... then wake up!
Good for French industry. 👏 USA cannot supply Ukraine alone. Germany has too much bureaucracy.
Nostradamus 9-55
Unless France is sending tons of its weapons to Ukraine or back in time to Charlemagne it should focus on building the first space colony
latest update was 40 SCALP hundreds of AMRAMS and 78 Caesar mobile artillery pieces so literally hundreds of tons yeah.
@@AlexC-ou4ju
France should turn its homeless and poor into trained, equipped volunteers for Ukraine
In exchange France gets territory and mining rights within Russia
@@christiandauz3742 You been smoking that crack again uncle?
The society needs more people who can work with their hands like this, and fewer academics.
so you mean men.
@@itwoznotme Women can work work with their hands too. They were instrumental in the arms production in two world wars.
🤑🤑🤑 War 🤑🤑🤑
War time economy? France is at 28th place in Ukraine aid GDP wise at 0.05%, that is abysmall aid at the very rock bottom. War time economy... Macron as usual is dramatic and big mouthly ridicilous.
So why is France one of the European countries which gives least arms to defend Ukraine? After all Macron said only recently that Russia must not win.
France is one of the few European countries that has active expeditionary forces deployed around the world.
Their equipment isn't just sitting idol it's being held in reserve in case something pops off.
Still a November report puts their military contributions to Ukraine at €3.2 billion not sure about nonmilitary aid.
They can do better but it's not like they've done nothing.
France SELLS but does NOT Buy or Donate.
Because they keep most of their arms support a secret.
@TheGlenn9 so does everyone. That's the minimum. Countries like Denmark have given more than France, the supposed most powerful army in Europe.
@IMGreg.. Yeah France needs to preserve strength to control its neo colonies in Africa.
We need European strategic autonomy. This helps.
This is all well and good but the Maginot Line was state of the art as well. The proof is in the pudding.
The issue with the France army is, that it seems to have mostly very light brigades. It remains a question if that helps in war with Russia.
It is much worse for uk army...
French regular army and special force have much more soldier than british
For small exemple 22 sas (not reservist ones) are only 3-400 mens, french 1st rpima or french sas are 3 times bigger. Uk sbs or naval commando are olso 3 times smaller than french naval commando etc
@@swann67000 you're talking rubbish, the UK has a Royal Marine force of over 5800 men alone, not to mention the many other specialised forces. French Special Operations Command has around 2500 personnel, that includes its marine commando, airborne and counter terrorist units.
@@indiakilo3929 have at minimums a little brain to look just 30 seconds on google to see what french special forces command COS is ?
French special forces are twice bigger than british.
Only for french army special forces their is : 1er rpima is 1000 mens, french recon intelligence is 1000 mens. JUST french army special it is 2000 mens !
THEN french navy special force 800 mens, THEN french air force special.
Nostradamus 1-18
So France has enough money for war but not for its farmers
At least those weapons won't end up in Africa but in Europe where they were produced.
no Africa buys from Russia and China .
We need an EUROPEAN ARMY.
Yes, Europe absolutely needs unified military command and production. If you think American politics are a hot mess now, just remember that 2024 is an election year. You ain't seen nothin' yet.
Not really- the UK and France spend the most and develop weapons more than the rest of Europe- the rest of Europe would just let the UK and France take the lead and spend all the money - other countries must get themselves up to speed
what you need that for lol. most of the eu countries are in nato, thats enough.
What a scam 😄
At least there in one & only western country who saved their defence industry from American invasion 🇨🇵🤝🇮🇳
??? this is laughable scale of production. tiny counties have triple the production rates
@@mrpicky1868 Yes French defence industry is smaller than USA but it's ALMOST independent unlike other western Powers.
you are repeating video sentiment and not even reading my message @@KausikGupta-lv7ho
if you factor in GDP and population size Frances military spening is actually quite large , unlike the germans who have basically would be toast minus americas security blanket @@KausikGupta-lv7ho
@@KausikGupta-lv7honot the flex you think it is, not like the usa are enemies. uk for example worked with the usa on the f35 which is now the most affordable modern jet while the french 4th gen jet is almost twice the cost. the uk at any time could switch to be independent because of bae systems etc but why waste money just so you can flex you didn't want to work with allies
ah, so this is why we have wars.
Just an FYI TH-cam overloaded my buffer on purpose. I will not like or subscribe as long as TH-cam continues this practice. Please copy and paste if this is happening to you.
150k per year is tiny, russia produces.. Probably 450k a month maybe more
Thank you Mr Putin for bringing NATO and the EU closer together. A great strategic move. Have an extra vodka on me.
If you want to preserve your sovereignty you should seek independence from American hegemony. America is much bigger of a threat to you than Russian will ever be. Henry Kissinger once said "To be an enemy of the US is dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal" let that sink in
Heureusement quand même qu'on les a eu deux fois pour nous sortir de la poigne des Teutons puis des Nazis
incles
Better hurry Trump is going to be elected!
Inadequate energy and raw materials😂
Plenty of nuclear power in France and raw materials can be bought.
@@cyberfunk3793 Niger Mali and Burkina Faso are giggling
@@cyberfunk3793 50% of France's nuclear plants are always standing still.
@@Nubbe999 Yet electricity is fairly cheap so they have enough to spare.
@@cyberfunk3793 free uranium cut off.
They can't find qualified people? Really? There are millions of Ukrainian refugees in Europe right now. We can't find better motivated people, can we? 😅
Were you not paying attention when they said it takes up to a year to train them? And how many do you think could pass the background check? I'll tell you. Exactly zero. This is national defense, not McDonalds.
I was done with my 10 years get up and ready a while ago.They may work in preproduction , nothing related intel wise.Base steel production, base semiconductors/electronics.
You said it yourself: qualified vs motivated!
@@thekinginyellow1744 I don't mind going and get a job there for the french minimal wage.
As always we can't find people, translate to "we can't find people for the minimum wage".
Seriously, they will pay those workers the same wage as McDonald baristas. No wonder it's difficult to find people...
keep dreaming bro
The fact they do this production in 50-year-old sheds, tells you how behind they are on the modern Infrastructure.
Product quality is important, but nobody cares about the premises.
The UK has sent 20+ times more equipment too Ukraine then France, War footing LUL
all vehicles come fitted with customised white flag
that's just your mother last night when she surrendered to me, she couldn't handle anymore my...
Where are you from ?
With US support subject to the pro-Putin far Right, Europe must step up its production in case it becomes the major supporter of Ukraine.
Already is.
Wow what boring machines you have. Nice.