On 3 October, SIPRI and the Embassy of France in Stockholm hosted an event under the title ‘French Grand Strategy: The Military Pivot to Europe’. The event was held under the Chatham House Rule.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has reignited Europe’s security concerns. Countries across the continent are reinvesting in their military capabilities, and strong strategic players, including France, are adjusting their military focus to the new challenges, both on national territory and in collaboration within the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
During the event, Lieutenant General Bertrand Toujouse, Commander of the French Land Forces and Commander for French Land Operations in Europe, delivered a keynote speech. General Toujouse addressed Europe’s evolving security landscape, framing it through a ‘competition–contestation–confrontation’ matrix, as some major powers contest the global order and normalize the use of force. He also discussed current threats, the potential for fruitful cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic region, and the importance of conflict prevention, stressing that the return of war to Europe has led to new coalitions and alliances. General Toujouse concluded, ‘We must win the war before the war,’ emphasizing that, along with new commands and brigades, France’s is pivoting to the East.
The keynote speech was followed by a conversation with SIPRI Director Dan Smith and a Q&A session with the audience, moderated by Dr Barbara Kunz, Director of SIPRI’s European Security Programme.
About the SIPRI European Security Programme
SIPRI’s European Security Programme seeks to make informed contributions to the (emerging) debate on Europe’s future security order. It aims to better understand trends and developments in European security affairs and their determinants in order to help shape a European security architecture that is conducive to stability, peace and prosperity on the continent and beyond.
Click here to read more about the SIPRI European Security Programme.