CONFIDENTIAL
UK EYES A
ANNEX C TO
D/ACDS (CONCEPTS) 108/5 DATED OCT 91
EUROPEAN MILITARY CAPABILITIES OOA
1. There is clearly a very large measure of uncertainty about predicting what forces our European allies might be able to field OOA in 10 years time, but a survey of current and proposed capabilities enables some reasonable forecasts to be
made.
2.
France. France will wish to maintain her nuclear systems. There have also been indications that the French intend to keep open the possibility of acquiring a CW capability, though French Ministers have declared there is no intention to do so at present. In order to maintain her freedom of action 00A and in Europe she will seek to maintain her present range of capabilities, though forces will be reduced from their present levels - some 1100 tanks, 500 artillery pieces, 8000 armoured vehicles, 500 helicopters, 450 front-line aircraft, general-purpose naval forces and a carrier-based air strike capability. France believes that her garrisons promote stability and stations about 30,000 men of all 3 Services and the Gendarmerie in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Indian Ocean and Pacific areas. The Rapid Action Force (FAR) is likely to remain at around its present strength of 5 largely light divisions, but it may well be upgraded with a heavy armour component, better logistic support and long- distance air portability, as well as becoming on all regular force. The FAR will have an amphibious capability. France will continue to attach great strategic importance to the Mediterranean and will probably station a major proportion of her fleet there, including the aircraft carriers. She also has a space-borne recce capability. SPOT and HELIOS (in partnership with Italy and Spain) will be operational in 1992.
anc.2s1
C-1
UK EYES A CONFIDENTIAL