Is France Prepared for Sea War?

The French Navy is shifting the training focus on patrol operations to prepare for war against enemies who want to destroy them, according to Admiral Jacques Mallard, commander of the French fighter group of aircraftmen.

When Mallard joined the armed forces in the 1990s, the main French Navy missions were to capture drug traffickers and fight illegal fishing.

Training consisted of practicing the use of Zodiac-type gomons and catching criminals.

Now training is focusing on war, Mallard said. “A naval battle is becoming increasingly possible”, he claimed for Politico.

We are moving from a world where we were more or less free to do whatever we wanted in a world where we feel more often threatened... We are now training for other missions, especially what we call a high-tensity war”, the Admiral declared.

France is the only European Union country operating with a nuclear power carrier, Charles de Gaulle, who also carries nuclear weapons.

It is the command ship of a larger battle group involving nuclear submarines, frigates, and Raphare warplanes. /Telegraphy/