France ready to send submarines to counter "Russian threat", says minister

France is prepared to deploy its submarines to combat what it calls the "Russian threat" to European ports.

French Minister of Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, made the announcement during his speech at the opening of the Paris Defense and Strategy Forum, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media. 

He highlighted the growing challenges faced by European nations in safeguarding their port economies from a range of hybrid threats, including terrorism and state-sponsored attacks.

Lecornu emphasized the joint efforts between France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other European allies in addressing the issue of mine warfare and reinforcing defenses against potential Russian submarine threats.

"Together with our Dutch and Belgian partners, we are tackling the problem of mine warfare and hybrid threats—whether they are terrorist or state-sponsored—that endanger our port economies," Lecornu stated.

The French minister also underscored the importance of collaboration in this area, citing France’s Barracuda-class submarines as a key asset in the nation's strategic defense posture. He reiterated the need for a stronger partnership among European nations, stating that operational compatibility must be significantly enhanced.

Lecornu warned that Europe's defense strategy must evolve independently of shifting global dynamics, particularly in light of uncertainties regarding the U.S. commitment to European defense.

“It’s not just about the Russian threat, but the unpredictability of our American partner. If the U.S. refocuses its attention on the Indo-Pacific region, we, as Europeans, must consider what we can do ourselves,” he added.

The threat from Russia continues to shape Europe's security landscape, with France positioning itself as a leading voice in the call for greater European autonomy in defense matters.

By Khagan Isayev