According to Thomas Gassilloud, chair of the French National Assembly’s defense committee, France should diversify its defense partnerships beyond Germany to prevent isolation. Gassilloud emphasized the ongoing importance of Franco-German relations but stressed the need for Paris to engage with a broader spectrum of partners in the changing global landscape. Historically, French presidents have prioritized the Franco-German relationship, particularly in costly joint defense projects like the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). However, these collaborations have faced challenges due to competition among defense companies and conflicting national interests.
While France and Germany are working on defense projects with Spain, recent developments show Germany establishing closer ties with other European nations. In November, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni signed a defense-focused action plan with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. Additionally, Germany played a role in influencing Italy to veto a proposed $1.8 billion acquisition of Microtecnica, an Italian subsidiary of Collins Aerospace, by the French company Safran. Gassilloud’s comments reflect concerns about France’s potential isolation and the evolving dynamics of European defense cooperation.
