France, a fantastic defender within the secret underwater battle in opposition to Russia | EUROtoday

UNo new battle is performed out between Europe and Russia within the underwater depths, specifically the Baltic Sea, during which France, the one nuclear energy of the European Union, performs a central function. In an interview with ParisianPatrick Chevallereau, former vice-admiral and researcher, decrypts present tensions and France’s duty for European submarine protection.

“” The French knowledge stream will not be immediately impacted from the Baltic Sea, explains this former aeronautical pilot. But we’re a part of an alliance, NATO, which binds us by a solidarity clause »Of article 5, primarily based on the precept of collective protection.

At the time, in 1949, the NATO Treaty aimed to arrange “a mutual assistance pact aimed at countering the risk of seeing the Soviet Union extend the control it exercised over oriental Europe to other parts of the continent”, specifies the group’s web site.

Sabotage operations

Today, this alliance is utilized in specific to guard the depths of the previous continent from actions coming, it appears, from Russia. “Moscow deploys sabotage and espionage operations at sea … It is a game which, after a certain time, can become dangerous,” explains Patrick Chevallereau.

The optical fiber cables via which the Internet go, the vitality distribution grids or the nuclear constructions situated a whole bunch of meters underwater are due to this fact the common targets of assaults. Russia has not but been incriminated, however in opposition to a background of conflicts in Ukraine, “we can trust a harness of clues, such as the commercial boats that correspond to the sabotage places, for example,” he provides.

To uncover



The kangaroo of the day

Answer

France’s participation is all of the extra vital as “the deterrent rests more than 80 % on our four machine launcher submarines (Snle)) »Who sail in absolute discretion. “” The quality of our weapons contributes to the credibility of the continent and to its safety, but it necessarily arouses interest in our opponents ».

“NWe are at struggle »»

But one of many challenges on this battle stays the fixed and speedy evolution of protection applied sciences. Whether it’s the navy capacities of NATO or France (mapping of seabed, manufacture of submarines, and so forth.), the instruments are completely evolving. “You have to adapt, go fast and devote means,” insists Patrick Chevallereau, who held varied positions on the Defense Staff and the NATO strategic command. His statement is evident: ” It will not be forcing the trait to say that we’re at struggle »».