When I did a video on the German military around 10 months ago, I made one off hand joke unfavourably comparing the Bundeswehr to the French military on a cost-capability basis. Given the storm of email I got after posting that video, I feel confident saying that there may be a strong perception on the internet that France is a nation lacking in serious military heft, both now and historically.The reality is that France has long been one of Europe’s major military powers, and while no longer the great power it was before WW1, France remains nearly unique among European States for a number of reasons, ranging from being the only Nuclear armed EU state, to being one of the few nations around the world with the ability to meaningfully project power internationally, supported by carrier aviation.In this video I look at the French military and military industry as they currently stand, but also at what Paris’ future plans tell us about the way the French military (and economy) are likely to evolve in response to the war in Ukraine and rising international tensions. Because with France, rearmament isn’t just about building up a powerful national defence, but about relentlessly pursuing ‘Strategic Autonomy’