The French Army Transitions to ‘High Intensity’ Warfare: Strengths, Drawbacks, and Challenges of French Ambitions

After three decades of expeditionary warfare, the French Army is undergoing a profound transformation to confront the new challenges of a changing operating environment. Exploring four key areas – recruitment and retention, equipment, logistics and support, and training – this article delves into the French army’s shift towards ‘high intensity’ warfare, highlighting the challenges of aligning ambitious strategic goals with limited resources. This comprehensive study examines the Army’s shortcomings as it transitions to Great Power Competition and evaluates its efforts, or lack thereof, in addressing the identified issues. The findings, based on over 30 elite interviews, highlight that French ambitions, at both national and institutional levels, are driving positive change but also have the potential to impede the efficiency and sustainability of the force. The article provides valuable empirical analysis that sheds light on the evolving security environment, contributing to the growth and advancement of military transformation studies.