Ben Wallace returned to Franco-British defense cooperation and the "many programs carried out over the last decade".

"Some have been great successes, like the Jaguar plane designed by France and the UK in close collaboration, the Puma helicopters for example, which we still use."

He also referred to the organization of the armed forces: "The Franco-British Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) is a real and solid mechanism," he declared.

The Minister also mentioned the aeronautical projects common to the two countries, as well as to other European partners. "In European Defense, there are very few powers that buy major equipment programs: France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy. It is the top four and it is these countries that are pushing aeronautical programs and always will be, regardless of our status within the European Union. "

He insisted on the defense capabilities in view of potential conflicts in the future. "I can develop a whole fleet of ships along the coast, but that's not going to deter anyone. We need a ready and deployable force, capable of defeating our adversaries, a force ready and willing to work. with allies. Russia and China don't have allies. They don't have many friends. "

The role of the United Kingdom on the international stage after Brexit is very open, according to Ben Wallace: "90% of the time, we will be at NATO's side and we will be able to deploy our forces with it. But sometimes we will join the States. "United, sometimes it will be France or Germany, it doesn't matter. Let us take the example of Africa: it could be the United Kingdom alone. It could be the United Kingdom with an African partner, or even the United Kingdom. France, the UK and the United Nations. All this to give us options. "

For the British Defense Minister, "Africa is a key continent for Europe, key for our commercial interests and for our security, and it is in our interest that this continent is stable, that de-radicalization campaigns are carried out. across Africa, west and east. " With this in mind, the United Kingdom is participating in Operation Barkhane: "We are sending an additional helicopter to support the Chinook helicopters, at the same time, we are alongside the UN forces with more than 300 British soldiers. This is an example. which shows that the UK and France are fully aligned. "

After the death of Chadian President Idriss Déby this week, Ben Wallace said he was "very concerned and saddened".

"We unequivocally condemn the use of force to try to overthrow the current government and we will do all we can to help our friends, France, but also these countries (in Africa)."

A program prepared by Isabelle Romero, Céline Schmitt, Mathilde Bénézet and Perrine Desplats.

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