Between the Rhine and the Elbe: France and the conventional defense of Central Europe

Abstract

NATO's renewed emphasis on conventional defenses and the expanding scope of Franco‐German defense cooperation in recent years have focused interest on the potential role of France in the conventional defense of Central Europe. Since their withdrawal from the Alliance's integrated military structure in 1966, French conventional forces have been closely associated with France's independent nuclear strategy. Over the past twenty years, however, French doctrine and concepts of operations have been adjusted to permit a larger French involvement in conventional operations with the Allies, reflecting a continuous strategic reassessment of France's role in the Alliance and her relationship with West Germany. The establishment of a heliborne Force d'Action Rapide (FAR) and increased French military participation in exercises with the Bundeswehr have been interpreted as implying a new and welcome readiness on the part of France to engage her conventional forces at the onset of a conflict and further forward into West German territory. Against this background, the article analyzes the evolution of French doctrine and capabilities for conventional defense in Central Europe and addresses future options.