France lacks a "golden dome" for its sky protection – examining alternative means of protection for the country's skies.
Safeguarding French Skies: France's Advanced Aerial Defense System
France maintains a robust defense system against aerial threats, employing a network of military and civilian radars for constant surveillance. This system, detailed by BFM TV, transmits detected anomalies to detection and control centers for further analysis. Some radars can be deployed on air defense frigates or land-based batteries for enhanced protection.
As explained by a chief engineer of the Direction Générale de l'Armement last November, the range of altitudes to be monitored is vast, as potential threats can fly at various heights, including low altitudes over the sea or at several dozen kilometers high, even in exo-atmospheric flight.
Once an anomaly has been identified and classified, the appropriate measures are determined to neutralize it. France's defense inventory encompasses a variety of systems designed for different target ranges.
Short-range targets, such as drones, are neutralized by artillery systems and very short-range systems, including the Mistral made by MBDA, which can engage targets ranging from drones to subsonic missiles. For targets up to 30 kilometers away, France utilizes Aster 15 missiles.
Cruise missiles or ballistic missiles are countered by France's Aster 30 missiles, which can be fired from both the ground and the sea. In addition to its own systems, France leverages the assets deployed within NATO's ballistic missile defense (BMD) framework. Spain hosts American destroyers, while Germany hosts the BMD command center.
According to a note from the French Institute of International Relations, European countries are advised to "reinvest in their air defense and anti-missile systems." The significance of this advice reflects the interconnected nature of global security and the need for collective defenses.
In the context of Donald Trump's proposed anti-missile shield program, France's approach emphasizes integrated air and space defense, relying on systems like the SAMP/T for air defense, and on international cooperation for broader security. While Trump's plan aimed to bolster U.S. defenses against ballistic missiles, with a focus on homeland defense and NATO cooperation, France's strategy encompasses a broader range of systems and scenarios.
In the realm of defense modernization, it's crucial for European countries to consider reinvesting in various sectors, such as real estate for building detection and control centers, science and technology for developing sophisticated radar systems and missile defense technology, and finance for funding these advancements. Furthermore, the space-and-astronomy sector could play a significant role in tracking potential threats at exo-atmospheric heights. Lastly, in the spirit of global security cooperation, France's integrated air and space defense strategy also involves business partnerships and collaborations, such as the joint NATO ballistic missile defense framework, as seen with Spain hosting American destroyers and Germany hosting the BMD command center.
