This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/defence-and-security-blog/2013/may/16/france-britain-defence

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Eurocepticism no bar to close British-French defence ties Eurocepticism no bar to close British-French defence ties
(4 months later)
Euroscepticism might be spreading across Britain - and other EU countries — but it does not appear to be affecting Britain's relations with France.Euroscepticism might be spreading across Britain - and other EU countries — but it does not appear to be affecting Britain's relations with France.
At least not in one important area. Far from it.At least not in one important area. Far from it.
Cooperation between the two nations on defence seems to be flourishing. The French defence minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, helped to explain why at a press conference in London on Thursday.Cooperation between the two nations on defence seems to be flourishing. The French defence minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, helped to explain why at a press conference in London on Thursday.
Le Drian, a Breton who speaks little English, came to see see Philip Hammond, his UK counterpart, in the framework of the Franco-British defence agreements enshrined in the 2010 Lancaster House Treaties.Le Drian, a Breton who speaks little English, came to see see Philip Hammond, his UK counterpart, in the framework of the Franco-British defence agreements enshrined in the 2010 Lancaster House Treaties.
The two countries enjoy mutual respect because of the capabilities of their armed forces and willingness to deploy them. And certainly Hammond and David Cameron appreciated the emphasis the French (socialist) government placed on nuclear weapons in its recent defence white paper.The two countries enjoy mutual respect because of the capabilities of their armed forces and willingness to deploy them. And certainly Hammond and David Cameron appreciated the emphasis the French (socialist) government placed on nuclear weapons in its recent defence white paper.
There is more to it than that. After saying he enjoyed an "excellent" relationship with Hammond, Le Drian suggested why the two governments got on so well, in military matters at least.There is more to it than that. After saying he enjoyed an "excellent" relationship with Hammond, Le Drian suggested why the two governments got on so well, in military matters at least.
He charactersised cooperation between the two countries as "pragmatic" — a word he emphasised five times in barely half an hour. He stressed the need for "concrete" steps with decisions taken by "sovereign" nation states.He charactersised cooperation between the two countries as "pragmatic" — a word he emphasised five times in barely half an hour. He stressed the need for "concrete" steps with decisions taken by "sovereign" nation states.
Other European countries were welcome to join in such defence cooperation but it would be little to do with Brussels or the EU.Other European countries were welcome to join in such defence cooperation but it would be little to do with Brussels or the EU.
That was the message.That was the message.
"I don't speak of European defence but speak of the defence of Europe", was how Le Drian put it."I don't speak of European defence but speak of the defence of Europe", was how Le Drian put it.
British and French forces have been deployed together in large-scale exercises and they plan to be able to deploy a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force from 2016.British and French forces have been deployed together in large-scale exercises and they plan to be able to deploy a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force from 2016.
They plan to develop an Anglo-French sea-launched missile and have joint projects designed to secure and maintain nuclear warhead stockpiles (in Valduc in France and Aldermaston in the UK).They plan to develop an Anglo-French sea-launched missile and have joint projects designed to secure and maintain nuclear warhead stockpiles (in Valduc in France and Aldermaston in the UK).
Britain and France are now planning to develop unmanned aerial vehicles — UAVs or drones, as they are commonly called.Britain and France are now planning to develop unmanned aerial vehicles — UAVs or drones, as they are commonly called.
The huge capability gaps in European defence capabilities were exposed during the Libyan conflict two years ago when Britain and France had to rely on US surveillance and intelligence -gathering aircraft.The huge capability gaps in European defence capabilities were exposed during the Libyan conflict two years ago when Britain and France had to rely on US surveillance and intelligence -gathering aircraft.
In Mali in January, France needed the help of US intelligence assets and UAVs. Significantly, Le Drian was flying from London to Washington where France hopes to buy a number of US Reaper drones.In Mali in January, France needed the help of US intelligence assets and UAVs. Significantly, Le Drian was flying from London to Washington where France hopes to buy a number of US Reaper drones.
France already cooperates closely with the US on aircraft carriers — both countries use "cats and traps" planes — aircraft using catapults and arrester gear.France already cooperates closely with the US on aircraft carriers — both countries use "cats and traps" planes — aircraft using catapults and arrester gear.
The British government last year abandoned its 2010 decision to equip its new carriers with "cats and traps" on grounds of cost. It has ordered the short take off and vertical landing version of Lockheed Martin's F35 fighter, at a cost unknown.The British government last year abandoned its 2010 decision to equip its new carriers with "cats and traps" on grounds of cost. It has ordered the short take off and vertical landing version of Lockheed Martin's F35 fighter, at a cost unknown.
Where does this leave the rest of western Europe, and Germany in particular?Where does this leave the rest of western Europe, and Germany in particular?
"Germany needs to take a bigger part in European defence and security -play a bigger part in the debate on collective security", a British defence minister told a recent European Council on Foreign Relations meeting in London."Germany needs to take a bigger part in European defence and security -play a bigger part in the debate on collective security", a British defence minister told a recent European Council on Foreign Relations meeting in London.
"If European countries do not hang together they will hang separately", commented a former senior UK diplomat who warned that the US could be an "unreliable ally"."If European countries do not hang together they will hang separately", commented a former senior UK diplomat who warned that the US could be an "unreliable ally".
A European summit devoted to defence is due to be held in December.A European summit devoted to defence is due to be held in December.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.