French Military Should Be Ready for War with Russia “in 3–4 Years,” Says Chief of Defense Staff

The French Armed Forces should be ready for a possible conflict with Russia within the next three to four years.

General Fabien Mandon, the Chief of the Defense Staff of the French Armed Forces, stated this, according to Le Figaro.

According to him, Russia may want to continue the war in Europe and test its ability to respond to threats.

Therefore, the general set a task for the army “to be ready for conflict in three to four years.”

“The first task I have set for the armed forces is to be ready for a shock in three to four years – a kind of test that may already exist in hybrid forms, but perhaps something more brutal,” Fabien Mandon said.

He added that Russia might be tempted to continue the war on the European continent.

Moscow has a “perception of Europe’s collective weakness,” said the general, who observes a “loosening of the use of force” on Russia’s part.

At the same time, he noted that from an economic, demographic, and industrial standpoint, Europe surpasses Russia. “Russia cannot frighten us if we are determined to defend ourselves,” the French Chief of the General Staff believes.

Given current threats, the French Armed Forces are modernizing their Mirage 2000D fighter jets to counter drones.

In addition, France is considering purchasing India’s Pinaka multiple rocket launch system as an interim solution until domestically produced systems of a similar class begin entering service.

They will also purchase a new A321 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft), a key step in modernizing naval aviation.

Among other plans, France intends to order another 61 Rafale multirole fighter jets by 2035 for its Air and Naval Forces.