The 14th of July parade carries significance: it symbolizes the bond between the people and the army that is committed to their protection. However, according to retired French armed forces lieutenant colonel Guillaume Ansel, this relationship has recently changed dramatically. In an interview with L'Union, he expressed his concern about the lack of discussion about the state of the French army, which is particularly suffering from an inadequate supply of weapons, reports Focus.
The former soldier recalled that after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, the need for a large army disappeared. The personnel of the French army was reduced from 600,000 to 200,000 men, the number of armored vehicles was reduced, and ammunition stocks were destroyed. The main emphasis was placed on light armament and rapid deployment to participate in operations of limited duration.
"No one expected that the 'classic' war will return," Ansel pointed out. The start of the Ukrainian conflict was a "terrible shock" for the French army. Then Chief of the General Staff Thierry Burckhardt warned MPs that in such a confrontation France would only have reserves for two weeks. According to the former lieutenant colonel, the military leadership has become myopic because of the operations in Africa in recent years, not all of which can be called successful.
As a result, Macron decided to increase defense spending without, however, changing the existing model of the army. Ansel recognized that France had an outstanding expeditionary force, but had limited resources devoted to armored and mechanized units. As a result, the French army is already facing difficulties in adapting to the conditions on the Ukrainian front.