French President Emmanuel Macron announced a creation of a new military space force last July 13. Sounds familiar? It mirrors US President Donald Trumps’ “space force”, except this time it’s the “French Space Force”. This declared interest in military readiness in space follows increased spending and interest in the area by the United States, China and Russia, Rappler reports:
"To assure the development and the reinforcement of our capacities in space, a high command for space will be created in September," Macron told military brass gathered for a traditional pre-Bastille Day reception.
He called the renewed military focus on space a "true national security issue."
Last year Macron had spoken of the need for a strategy for space defense and this was the result, he said.
"The new spatial and military doctrine that has been proposed to me by the (defense) ministry, which I have approved, will allow us to ensure our defense of space," he added.
image credit: Kamil Zihnioglu/Pool/AFP via Rappler
It's interesting but France itself is not a very space capable country it is highly dependent on the ESA for all of its space endeavors. So if they are planning on investing in space to build their own craft and delivery methods I could see a Space Force working but otherwise it's a hollow gesture.
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Nevertheless - Vive la France!
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