ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses civil–military relations in France. It shows how the importance of the executive in the French decision-making system influences the conduct of defence policy, but it also illustrates the changes in the social make-up of the armed forces and their perception in French society at large. The book explores the transformation of the French armed forces since 1991, notably the professionalisation and the downsizing of the armed forces. It explains how those changes were made based on strategic assessments of the (mis)fit between the armed forces and their operational environment, and how changing political conditions shaped the 2020 format of the armed forces. The book details the evolution of France’s nuclear deterrence capabilities and strategy. It analyses the role of the arms industry in French defence policy, as well as defence procurement practices.
