By Liu Leina
刘磊娜
On May 22, France accomplished a successful test launch of an upgraded ASMPA-R missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, by using a Rafale fighter jet. This demonstration highlighted France's nuclear deterrence capability. Analysts argue that, being the sole EU member possessing nuclear deterrence capability, France is showcasing its military technological prowess while gradually pushing forward the adoption of a strategy for European defense autonomy.
5月22日，法国“阵风”战斗机成功发射可携带核弹头的ASMPA-R导弹，以展示法国核威慑能力。有分析称，法国是在以欧盟唯一具备核威慑能力国家的身份，展示军事技术实力，渐进式推动欧洲防务自主战略落地。
Winning over allies through a new initiative
新倡议拉拢盟友
In recent days, French President Emmanuel Macron has championed European defense autonomy on several occasions. During a speech at Sorbonne University in Paris on April 25, Macron, while highlighting the need to build a powerful Europe, proposed the building of a "credible defense for the European continent" in collaboration with NATO. Foreign media outlets characterize this as Macron's latest position regarding the "NATO's European pillar", signaling a shift away from pursuing autonomous European defense and towards advancing European defense with NATO's backing.
近期，法国总统马克龙在多个场合推动欧洲防务自主。4月25日，马克龙在巴黎索邦大学发表演讲时，呼吁建立一个强大的欧洲，并与北约一起建立“可信的欧洲防御体系”。外媒称，这是马克龙对所谓“北约的欧洲支柱”作出的最新表态，即不再摆脱北约“单干”，在北约支持下进行欧洲防务建设。
During his address, Macron proposed an initiative aimed at urging the EU to develop a unified defense strategy in the upcoming months. He suggested that in the face of security threats to EU member states, they should activate a support mechanism to deploy personnel and establish a rapid reaction force within a designated timeframe. Macron stressed that while the new force could receive military assistance from NATO, it must uphold independent command and operations.
马克龙在演讲中发起一项新倡议，以推动欧盟在未来数月内达成共同防务战略。他提出，欧盟国家在遭受安全威胁时，各国应启动支援机制，在规定时间内抽调人员组建快速反应部队。他强调，新部队可以接受北约的军事支援，但需保持指挥和行动独立性。
Boosting momentum through "combination punches"
“组合拳”壮大声势
As Macron champions European defense autonomy, the French military is employing a slew of strategic "combination punches" to underscore its defense capabilities and reinforce confidence in the prospect of European defense autonomy.
在马克龙呼吁欧洲防务自主的同时，法军接连打出“组合拳”，以彰显防务实力，为欧洲防务自主增添底气。
In March, France hosted the "VOLFA-2024"multinational joint air combat exercise. The French Air Force conducted joint drills with the air forces of Spain and Portugal, practicing emergency deployment of air combat forces to countries like Romania. At the end of April, the French Navy conducted its first-ever coordinated cruise missile strikes from different locations and platforms. In June, the French Navy is slated to conduct similar joint strike exercises with the naval forces of the US and the UK.
3月，法国以东道国身份参加“沃尔法-2024”多国联合空战演习。法国空军与西班牙、葡萄牙空军联合演练向罗马尼亚等国紧急部署空中作战力量等课目。4月底，法国海军首次进行不同地点、不同平台的巡航导弹协同打击训练。按计划，今年6月，法国海军将与美、英海军开展此类联合打击训练。
Besides flexing its muscle, France also announced a landmark cooperation agreement with Germany, marking the official launch of a new-generation main battle tank program. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that this cutting-edge weapon system signifies a long-term investment in European defense autonomy for the foreseeable future. European defense experts observe that France's initiatives are spurred by concepts such as the "war economy" and "European priorities" in the defense sector. They aim to facilitate the sharing and utilization of regional resources within the framework of European defense autonomy, thereby fostering enhanced cooperation among European defense forces.
除“秀肌肉”外，法国还宣布与德国达成一项里程碑式合作协议，两国正式启动新一代主战坦克项目。法国国防部长勒科尔尼表示，该武器是对未来数年欧洲防务自主的长远投资。欧洲防务专家称，在“战争经济”和“欧洲优先”军工理念刺激下，法国在欧洲防务自主框架下谋求地区内部资源共享共建，推动欧洲防务合作。
As France boosts its military capabilities, it also intensifies its diplomatic cooperation efforts. Notably, it has inked a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation with the Philippines, and commenced negotiations on the Japan-France Reciprocal Access Agreement. These strategic moves are all geared towards continually widening France's sphere of influence.
在提升军备实力的同时，法国还加紧外交合作步伐，与菲律宾签署防务合作意向书，和日本启动《互惠准入协定》谈判等，不断扩大自身影响力。
Facing obstacles on the road to autonomy
“自主路”面临阻碍
For quite some time, France has stood as a steadfast proponent of European defense autonomy. From openly criticizing NATO's "brain death" to advocating for the ambitious plan for the "European army", and now proposing European defense development under NATO's auspices, France has adjusted its strategy all the time, aiming to seek support from fellow NATO European member states. Nevertheless, the journey towards European defense autonomy continues to encounter obstacles.
长期以来，法国是欧洲防务自主战略最坚定的倡导者，从直言不讳地批评北约“脑死亡”，到提出雄心勃勃的“欧洲军”计划，再到如今提出在北约支持下进行欧洲防务建设，法国不断调整策略，希望得到北约欧洲成员国支持。然而，欧洲防务自主道路仍面临阻碍。
Externally, skepticism among NATO allies poses a big obstacle to Europe's efforts to achieve breakthroughs in weapon development, procurement, and joint operational capability building. Moreover, European defense autonomy requires substantial financial investment, yet the European debt crisis has laid bare fiscal deficits in various countries. Coupled with recent crises like the refugee influx, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Ukraine crisis, financial resources are strained, making it hard for the EU to establish a fully independent defense system.
从外部看，北约盟友不买账。这将导致欧洲无论在武器研发采购方面，还是联合作战能力建设方面，都难以形成突破性成果。同时，欧盟防务自主需要投入大量资金，但欧债危机暴露出欧洲各国财政亏空问题，加之近年来欧洲接连遭遇难民、新冠疫情、乌克兰问题等危机，财政资源紧张，很难建设全面独立自主的防务体系。
Internally, there is a lack of domestic support. France is currently contending with challenges such as high unemployment, low incomes juxtaposed with high prices, and insufficient social welfare, all of which have sparked ongoing mass protests. The French citizens now place greater emphasis on government initiatives aimed at enhancing their living standards rather than further increasing military spending.
从内部看，国内民众不支持。目前，法国存在高失业率、低收入与高物价、社会福利不足等问题，引发民众不断抗议。法国民众更希望政府采取措施来改善他们的生活条件，而不是继续加大军费投入。
