France: the defense energy strategy

Text by: RFI Follow

Energy, an essential element for all defense activities: from electricity for infrastructure to fuels for the mobility of forces in operation. But in a context marked by the energy transition and increasing tensions over oil resources, the Ministry of the Armed Forces has developed a defense energy strategy to reduce its dependence on petroleum products. Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces will present her action plan this Friday.

Publicity

To function, the French army each year needs 800,000 m3 of oil, and the bill rises to 840 million euros, and the trend is increasing. New vehicles, always more connected and better armed, consume more, the combat aircraft of the future will for example be 30% larger than a Rafale, its engines will therefore be much more greedy.

To control its consumption, the ministry now wants to disseminate at all levels a culture of energy sobriety. Armament programs will systematically include energy efficiency requirements. Hybridization of land vehicle engines will soon be a reality. And for aeronautics which represents two thirds of consumption, bio-fuels will become the norm.

Florence Parly will announce the launch of a dozen performance contracts: military bases will have to get rid of their oil boilers, and 2,000 hectares of military land will soon accommodate solar panels.

"Consume less, consume better, consume safe," insists the Ministry of the Armed Forces, including in external operations, where energy officers will be deployed. There are even plans to equip the fighter of the future with a fuel cell. So to set the tone, the service of the armies' essences will be renamed "energy service".

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Energies
• Defense
• France

On the same subject

Defense lines

France: the Armed Forces Health Service in a critical situation