Les réserves en première ligne ? Du citoyen-soldat à l'intérim
A central piece of national security during two centuries and an essential link between the military and the people, the French reserve forces have considerably decreased over the last decades.
Nevertheless, new economic constraints now urge for downsizing the number of troops and could revive the reserves" importance in safeguarding crucial capacities while respecting deeper defense budget cuts. France’s western allies, such as Great Britain or the United States, have already given their reserve forces a key role to support their force projection capability. Drawing lessons from these different experiences, the French armed forces must reform their reserve model and adapt to the new requirements in an age of austerity.
This study is published in French only: Les réserves en première ligne ? Du citoyen-soldat à l'intérim
Related centers and programs
Discover our other research centers and programsFind out more
Discover all our analysesTaking the Pulse: Is France’s New Nuclear Doctrine Ambitious Enough?
French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled his country’s new nuclear doctrine. Are the changes he has made enough to reassure France’s European partners in the current geopolitical context?
Macron Offers a Promising Vision for Nuclear Deterrence in Europe
Macron’s concept of ‘forward deterrence’ offers a distinctly European approach to nuclear deterrence.
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems Europe’s Long-standing and Enduring Dependence?
The war in Ukraine has underlined the importance of multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) in modern conflict, especially a war without clear air superiority and hence a reduced potential for air-launched deep strike. In 2022, the European MLRS fleet was split between a variety of Western platforms developed at the end of the Cold War and specialized in precision strikes.
Autonomous Systems in the Underwater Domain: A Limitless Revolution?
One of the decisive strategic factors in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war is the mass use of aerial, maritime, and terrestrial autonomous capabilities, which are transforming the face of the battlefield. Nevertheless, many of these drones are still remotely piloted, operated, or supervised, testifying to the fact that the autonomization of military capabilities is still at an embryonic stage.