France Unveils New Military Strategy for Very High Altitude Operations
France announces a new military strategy for enhancing capabilities in very high altitude operations.
Key Points
- • France is enhancing military capabilities in very high altitude (VHA) operations (20-100 km).
- • Minister Sébastien Lecornu and General Alexis Rougier are leading the strategic initiative.
- • The strategy was announced at the Paris Air Show and emphasizes the importance of VHA operations for national security.
- • The French space agency CNES plays a crucial role in technology development for VHA operations.
France is taking decisive steps to enhance its military capabilities in very high altitude (VHA) operations, which range from 20 to 100 kilometers above Earth. Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, unveiled this strategic framework during the Paris Air Show, highlighting the importance of VHA operations in safeguarding national security against potential threats, especially in light of recent global incidents such as the shooting down of a Chinese reconnaissance balloon in early 2023.
The French military, particularly the Air and Space Army (AAE), is now equipped with advancements owing to the French space agency CNES, which has significant expertise in operating stratospheric balloons—a key technology for VHA operations. Lecornu emphasized the urgency of this strategy by stating, "Not being able to act in VHA would expose France to vulnerabilities that could be exploited by competitors who master this environment." This initiative not only aims to close existing gaps in capability but also positions France as a leader in this emergent and strategically significant domain.