COUVASIE2018_DEF-EN copie.pdf 1 09/05/2018 15:51:16

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FRANCE AND SECURITY
IN THE INDO-PACIFIC

Foreword by the Minister for the Armed Forces
France pays particular attention to the Indo-Pacific region. Its stability is paramount for international security, as stated in the 2017 Defence
and National Security Strategic Review.
In the Indo-Pacific area, North Korea challenges the international community by conducting nuclear trials and ballistic missile tests, thereby
breaching the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
The military assertiveness of a growing number of established or emerging powers presents many challenges to multilateralism andincreases the instability and unpredictability we are confronted with.
Terrorism, which has severely struck Europe over the last few years, is reshaping and spreading to the Indo-Pacific. This worrying evolution
requires a joint mobilisation of the international community.
The maritime domain remains an area of tensions due to the challenging behaviour of some States with regards to United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea and the persistence of acts of piracy.
Finally, the effects of climate change and environmental degradations represent a major issue in the Indo-Pacific, and as far as in the
Antarctic, exacerbating security risks.
These major challenges can only be overcome through cooperation. Upholding stability in the Indo-Pacific, which is a source of overall prosperity thanks to its economic
dynamism, demographic growth and technological innovation, is essential. This has to be set within the framework of an international order based on dialogue andthe respect of multilaterally set rules.
As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a founding member of the European Union and NATO, France plays a specific role on the international
stage. With territories and population in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans, France is a nation of the Indo-Pacific region and holds a distinctive place in this part of theworld, from the African coastline to the seaboard of Americas. France permanently maintains sovereignty and presence forces in the region to defend its interests and tocontribute to the stability of the region alongside its partners, primarily India, Australia, the United States, Japan as well as Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Indonesia
and Vietnam.
With the 2019-2025 Military Programming Law, France started an exceptional military build-up to adapt its defence system to evolving security challenges. These
challenges also make supporting the capacity building of our partners essential.
The present document is a new edition of “France and security in the Asia-Pacific” published in 2016. It illustrates France’s policy on defence and security in the IndoPacific and demonstrates our country’s long-term unwavering commitment to developing strong linkages with the States of the region, in favour of our common
security.
Florence Parly

The security of the Indo-Pacific is a strategic challenge for France

he Indo-Pacific concentrates
60% of the world population and
one third of international trade.
Its stability is crucial: any crisis orconflict in this area is likely to affectadversely the interests of France as well as
Europe’s.

T

Terrorism remains a major and immediate concern.
Despite military progress in Levant, the threat isreshaping and spreading to new regions, thriving on
chaos, civil war, and the fragility of some States. France
is engaged on the frontline of the international fightagainst terrorism, alongside countries of the IndoPacific, in theatres of operations located in Africa andin the Levant.

The Indo-Pacific constitutes a maritime and landgeographical area, shaped by interactions aroundstrategic centres of gravity – India, China, Southeast
Asia, Australia. It comprises the Indian, Pacific andSouthern Oceans and forms a security continuum
spreading from the East African coastline to theWestern American seaboard.

Multilateralism is increasingly challenged, especiallyin the Indo-Pacific. Some major powers are choosing
postures that overtly favour power-based relations,generating anxiety and unpredictability worldwide.
The growing polarisation of the region threatens theupholding of the multilateral order that enabled theeconomic prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.

France is rooted in the southern part of the Indian
Ocean with the islands of Mayotte and La Réunion,
the Scattered Islands and the French Southern andAntarctic Territories. France is also anchored in the
Pacific Ocean with its territories in New Caledonia,
Wallis and Futuna, French Polynesia and Clipperton
Island. Our armed forces stationed overseas and ourpermanent military basing allow France to fulfil the
security responsibilities of a resident power of the
Indo-Pacific.

The threat multiplier effect of climate change directly
concerns the Indo-Pacific. The most vulnerable
countries will see their economic growth prospects
highly reduced, whereas the most resilient ones,
owing to their size or their power, will gain ageostrategic advantage.

This region is not spared by the increasing tensions
on the international level.

2

France in the Indo-Pacific
Key figures
465 422 km² (including Terre Adélie) in the Indianand Pacific Oceans.
Almost 9 million km² of economic exclusive
zone (world’s second largest EEZ) in the Indo-Pacific.
1.5 million French citizens living in Frenchoverseas departments and territories.
At least 200,000 French Nationals living in the
Indo-Pacific States.
In 2017 :France exported up to 64.185 billion euros to
the Indo-Pacific (defence equipment not included),i.e. 33.7% of French exports outside European Union(14% overall).
France imported up to 93.049 billion euros fromthe Indo-Pacific (defence equipment not included),i.e. 41% of French imports outside European Union(17% overall).

FRANCE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC

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Indo-Pacific’s FDI Stocks
in France (2016)€35bn

Mayotte - Réunion - Scattered Islands
EEZ : 1,026,037 km2
Glorious Islands
1,058,065 inhab.

MayotteSINGAPORE

BRUNEIINDONESIAPAPUANEW GUINEAEAST TIMOR

FIDJI

Bassas da India
EuropaFrench Polynesia
EEZ : 4,852,122 km2
270,500 inhab.

VANUATU

Tromelin

Juande Nova

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Wallis & Futuna
EEZ : 263,422 km2
12,000 inhab.

Réunion

AUSTRALIA

Scattered
Islands

French Sub-Antarctic
and Antarctic Territories
EEZ : 2,070,343 km2

Amterdam &Saint-Paul Islands

Marquesas
Islands
SocietyIslands

New Caledonia
EEZ : 1,457,032 km2
256,000 inhab.

TuàmotuAustralIslands

GambierIslands

NEW ZEALAND

Crozet Islands
Kerguelen Islands

200,000 French Nationals living in the Indo-Pacificfewer than
3,000
Terre
Adéliefrom 3,000
to 10,000

from 10,000
to 30,000

French Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

more than
30,000Main Security Challenges in the Indo-PacificThe 2017 French Strategic Review
emphasises the rapid and intense
evolution of the threats identified in
the 2013 White Paper: terrorism, theworrying return of rivalry and power
assertiveness, the weakening of the rule of law
and multilateralism as well as the increase of
unconventional challenges.
North Korea’s ballistic and nuclear programs do not
only threaten Northeast Asian stability but also theinternational order and the non-proliferation regime.
In the South China Sea, the large-scale land
reclamation activities and the militarisation ofcontested archipelagos have changed the status quo
and increased tensions. The potential consequences ofthis crisis have a global impact considering that one
third of the world trade transits through this strategic
region. Such a case highlights how multilateralism isquestioned by assertive policies which are threatening
the stability of the whole region.
Terrorism is another challenge. The end of Daech does
not mean the end of this global threat due to Foreign
Fighters returning home and the spread of terrorism
to new regions such as South Asia and South-East Asia.

is little doubt that accessibility to deep underwater
resources, the expansion of power projection and, inparallel, of anti-access / area denial capabilities, andthe centrality of cyberspace and satellite equipment,
are going to exacerbate rivalries between States in the
Indo-Pacific.
Facing those challenges, France is developing a
network of strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacificwith countries such as India, Australia, Japan, Malaysia,
Singapore, New Zealand, Indonesia and Vietnam.
To deal with those risks and tensions, France supports
and wishes to contribute to the building of a regional
security architecture. In addition to being active inseveral multilateral dialogue platforms of the IndoPacific, France has taken steps to work closer with the
ADMM+, a structure which gathers Defence Ministersof ASEAN and its “Plus” Partner countries.
By getting closer to the ADMM+, France would bringto the Indo-Pacific its experience as a permanent
member of the United Nations Security Council, its
operational know-how and a major contribution to
the establishment of an area of peace and stability,
based on the full respect of international law.

Scientific and technological breakthroughs arebringing in new opportunities, but also new risks. There

4

A Commitment to Security at All Levels
France is playing a major role in the United Nations
Security Council and within the European Union toensure the full and effective implementation of sanctions
against the North Korean regime. This approach should
coerce the regime to cease its proliferating activities andto return to the negotiation table.
France supports the strict application of the United
Nations Convention on Law of the Sea. France, as afirst-rank maritime and naval power, regularly exercises
its right of maritime and air navigation wherever it isneeded, in particular in the Indo-Pacific region.
The French Armed Forces in the Indo-Pacific also play anactive role in operations against illegal trafficking(drugs, illegal fishing, etc.).
As for the struggle against climate change, France
has been instrumental to reach the Paris Agreement in2016. In the defense field, France has organised the firstinternational conference “The implications of Climate
Change for Defence” ahead of the COP21.

ENJEUX SÉCURITAIRES
SECURITYISSUES IN THE
ENINDO-PACIFIC
INDO-PACIFIQUE
RUSSIARUSSIE

Zones ofdedisputes
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Zonesofdeillicit
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trafics
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illicites (pêche,(drugs, drogue)
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de l’arme
Statesnucléaire

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MONGOLIE
MONGOLIA

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Islands
Tromelin
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Clipperton

MARSHALLILESISLANDSMARSHALLMICRONESIAMICRONÉSIEGambierIslands
ÎlesGambierA significant French military presenceF

rance’s military presence in the IndoPacific is adapted to its defence andsecurity needs. Permanently, 7,000
personnel are stationed throughout
the whole area: 4,100 in the Indian
Ocean and 2,900 in the Pacific Ocean.
Depending on periods, an additional 700
sailors can be deployed.
These forces ensure the protection and safety ofFrench territories, as well as the surveillance of our
exclusive economic zones. They undertake HADR
operations, fight against trafficking, contribute to
the “Action of the State at Sea” and are involved ina number of defence cooperation activities in all
aspects.
In the north of the Indian Ocean, the French forces
stationed in the United Arab Emirates (FFEAU) andin Djibouti (FFDj) field 6 multirole Rafale combat
aircraft (UAE), 4 Mirage-2000 combat aircraft(Djibouti), 8 helicopters and 1 tactical transport
aircraft.

In the Pacific Ocean, the French Armed Forces in
New Caledonia (FANC) and in French Polynesia(FAPF) operate 2 surveillance frigates equippedwith 1 helicopter each, 3 patrol vessels, 2 multimission ships, 5 maritime surveillance aircrafts, 4
tactical transport aircrafts and 5 helicopters.
Furthermore, France maintains a close networkof eighteen resident and non-resident defence
attachés accredited in 33 countries of Asia andOceania. With the help of deputy defence attachés,“armament” attachés, permanent advisors incharge of military cooperation and a liaison officer
at U.S. PACOM, they develop the bilateral defence
cooperation in all aspects.
A French Navy officer is embedded in the
Information Fusion Centre (IFC), the Singaporean
centre which has regional competencies and is
responsible for the surveillance of sea lanes ofcommunication in Asia. This officer is also a liaison
officer at the Regional Humanitarian Assistance andDisaster Relief Coordination Centre, whose goal is toaddress the military aspect of assistance operations.

In the south of the Indian Ocean, the French Armed
Forces (FAZSOI) are divided between La Réunionand Mayotte islands and use 2 surveillance frigatesequipped with 1 helicopter each, 1 multi-mission
ship, 2 patrol vessels (including 1 polar patrol vessel)and 2 tactical transport aircrafts.

6

To optimize its presence in this vast area, France relies on
joint regional commands:• COMSUP FAZSOI : Commander of the French Armed
Forces in the South of the Indian Ocean.
• COMSUP FANC : Commander of the French Armed
Forces in New Caledonia.
• COMSUP FAPF/ALPACI : Commander of the French
Armed Forces in French Polynesia and Commanderof the Pacific Ocean maritime zone.
• COMSUP FFEAU/ALINDIEN : Commander of theFrench Armed Forces in the United Arab Emirates
and Commander of the Indian Ocean maritime zone.
For further details on the areas of responsibility, see map
page 7.

LA PRÉSENCEFRENCHMILITARYMILITAIRE
PRESENCE
FRANÇAISEIN THE EN
INDO-PACIFIC
INDO-PACIFIQUE
Enceintes de dialogue de défense

Defence dialogues
in which
France islainvolved
auxquelles
participe
France♦ SPDMM- South♦ SPDMM- SouthPacificPacificDefence
DefenceMinisters’
Ministers’Meeting
Meeting♦♦Shangri-La
Shangri-La Dialogue
Dialogue♦♦TokyoTokyoDefense
Defense Forum
Forum♦♦JIDD
JIDD- -Jakarta
JakartaInternational
InternationalDefense
Defense Dialogue
Dialogue♦♦ Putrajaya
Putrajaya Forum
Forum
♦♦SDD
SDD- -Seoul
SeoulDefense
Defense Dialogue
Dialogue♦♦ Ulaanbaatar
Dialogue
Ulaanbaatar Dialogue

KAZAKHSTANMONGOLIE
MONGOLIAOUZBÉKISTANUZBEKISTANTURKMÉNISTANTURKMENISTANKIRGHIZSTAN

CHINE
CHINA

TADJIKISTAN

CORÉE
SUD
SOUTHDU
KOREA

AFGHANISTAN

INDIA
1 naval1 base650650 6
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6

1

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JAPAN

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Forcesfrançaisesin the Unitedaux
Arab
EmiratesEmirats
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NÉPAL
NEPAL

BANGLADESH

1

BIRMANIE♦ APICC- AsiaPacific
Intelligence♦ APICC- AsiaPacific
IntelligenceChiefs
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IndianOcean
Naval
Symposium
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ALPACIVIETNAM
LAOSTHAÏLANDE
THAILANDCAMBODGE
CAMBODIA

PHILIPPINES

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Guam
(E.U)
(U.S.A)

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(U.S.A.)(E.U)
Clipperton

SRI LANKA
Armed
ForcesForcesfrançaises
inDjibouti (FFDj)(FFDj)
à Djibouti
1,450
1450

4

1

BRUNEIMALAISIE
MALAYSIASINGAPOURSINGAPORE

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INDONÉSIEINDONESIAEAST TIMORORIENTAL

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Réunion55

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22

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ALINDIEN
ALINDIEN
Armed Forces inForces arméesen
New-Caledonia(FANC)
Nouvelle-Calédonie (FANC)

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4
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Zone
de responsabilité
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Permanent
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AUSTRALIE
AUSTRALIA

22

Permanent
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Zone
de responsabilité
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TONGA

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PAPOUASIEPAPUA-NEW-NOUVELLE-GUINEA-GUINÉEVANUATU

Defence Attachés
Attachésde défense
Attachés de défense
Non-resident
Defencenon
Attachésrésidents
Attachés d’armement
Armament
AttachésOfficierLiaison
FrenchfrançaisOfficer
de liaison- U.S.USPACOM
PACOM
OfficierLiaison
FrenchfrançaisOfficer
de liaison- IFCIFC
andetCRFIM
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Principales
Main
Frenchescales
Navy Ships port calls
Zones de Commands
Regional
commandement
Forces deForces
Presence
présenceXYZ XYZ
ouSovereignty
orde souveraineté
ForcesMaritime security: a global issue

F

rance has the world’s second largest
exclusive economic zone (11 million
of km2) after the United States. Its
EEZ is essentially located in the
Pacific (67%) and in the Indian
Ocean (26%).
With a presence in all the oceans, France faces
increasing constraints on the exercise of its sovereignty,
the surveillance of its maritime domain, the control
of on-going maritime activities and the sustainable
protection of the blue economy. Within a difficult
geostrategic context, the safety of our maritime
domain and, more broadly, the safety of the high sea,
are major issues. Piracy, terrorism, trafficking activities,
illegal fishery, cyber-attack, and pollution, are among
the many threats that we face.
The securitisation of the seas and oceans increases
the need for cooperation between states and as partof regional organisations, within the framework of theUnited Nation Convention on the law of the sea. This
is in this context that the European Union adopted, in
2014, a strategy on maritime safety, which France inturn adopted at the national level in 2015.
The vastness of the maritime spaces in the Indo-Pacificrepresents a specific challenge. France has made aparticular effort in the establishment of a networkof maritime surveillance centred on multilateral

cooperation engagements and on the optimisation of
resources.
Information sharing between regional security actors isessential to ensure the security of the maritime domain
in its entirety. France pursues a remarkable cooperation
with Australia and New Zealand in the South Pacific,
in relation to the United States and the QUAD forum(Quadrilateral Defense Coordination Group).
France has a liaison officer in the Information Fusion
Centre (IFC) of Singapore. This regional centre isdedicated to the surveillance of the maritime routes
in Asia. It supports the regional centre for the fusion ofmaritime information located in Madagascar. This lastcentre gathers knowledge of maritime situation on theWestern part of the Indian Ocean, from the Suez Canalto the Cape of Good Hope. In 2016, France and India
initiated a dialogue on maritime security issues. It led tothe signature, in March 2018, by the two heads of Stateof a Joint Vision on the Indian Ocean, which illustrates
their common approach to the Indo-Pacific.
As a spatial, maritime and air power, France possesses
high-level intelligence gathering means and significant
force projection platforms. It is therefore able tocontribute to each aspect of international security
with its allies and partners, mainly Europeans. This is
illustrated by the French regular participation to thecounter piracy operation Atalanta.

8

Action of the State at Sea
The “Action of the State at Sea” is a specifically Frenchadministrative and operational set-up that aims at
protecting the French interests at sea, while ensuring
the coordinated action of the Navy, the national police, thenational gendarmerie, the customs and the civil security
agencies.
Each government department is responsible for the
implementation of its own activities, and also participatesto the others’ at the request of the maritime Prefectin charge of coordination. France has three maritime
prefectures on its metropolitan territory, and fivecommanders in charge posted overseas.
The Action of the State at Sea covers a large diversity of
public interest missions, including the protection ofsovereign rights and of the national interests, maritime
safety, the enforcement of maritime law, the controlof fisheries, the fight against illicit activities and theprotection of the environment.
Because of its unique components, the French Navy –“Marine nationale” has a major role in the control of highsea areas, in their three dimensions: under the sea, on
the sea and in the air. It fights against illicit trafficking, incooperation with the States that are also engaged in thisglobal fight.

AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO MARITIME SECURITY

Vancouver

Tianjin
Busan
ShanghaiTokyo
NagoyaLos Angeles

NingboJeddahSalalah

UNITED STATESOF AMERICA
4

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Kuala Lumpur

SINGAPORE

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Bassas da India

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Austral Islands

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4

Scattered
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FRANCE
4

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NEW ZEALAND
4
Crozet Islands
Kerguelen Islands

4

Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (QUAD)
French Liaison Officer U.S. PACOM
French Liaison Officer IFC and CRFIM
Areas of intense engagement for maritime security(fight against drug trafficking, illegal fishery, piracy)
Main trading ports
Main maritime routes

OUZBÉKISTANKIRGHIZSTAN

2015 - 2018 FRENCH FORCES ACTIVITIES IN THE INDO-PACIFICTURKMÉNISTANMONGOLIAKAZAKHSTANTADJIKISTANSOMALIACANADA

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KakaduTUVALU(20
18)

KIRIBATIANTARCTICHONDURASEL SALVADORNICARAGUAPANAMA

7)

SAMOA

FIDJI

TONGA

New
Caledonia

Marquesas
Islands

WINSTON(02.2016)
NIUE

SocietyIslands

KENYA
GITA

(02.2018)

EquateurCroix du Sud

Takafula

PP L’As
trolabe
(

2018)

NEW
ZEALAND
Southern
KatipoKerguelen Islands

10

PHILIPPINESTHAILANDVIETNAMCAMBODIA

Frenc
hP
oly
ne
TuàmotuAustral Islands

MALDIVES

GambierIslands

FS Prairial (2018)

FS Prairial

SRI LANKAPERU

BRUNEI

MALAYSIA

MALAYSIACHILE

INDONESIAINDONESIA(2016)

French Navy deployments in:

Mararaorganised by Franceorganised by France

Amterdam &Saint-Paul Islands

GEAO
M Jeanne d’ArcFREMM
La Provence 2015
Armed Forces in
French Polynesia (FAPF)
1,180 personnel

Wallis &FutunaCASTORMISSION2018
VANUATU

FOCUS - SOUTH CHINA SEALAOSBIRMANIE

NEW-ZEALANDECUADOR

(201

sia

SOUTH
AFRICA"Jeanned

FAKIR(04.2018)

Clipperton

COSTA RICA

FS P
rairi
al

NAURU

SOLOMON
ISLANDS

FS V
end
ém
iair
e
AUSTRALIA

Scattered
Islands

PAM(03.2015)

PAPUANEWGUINEA)

Réunion

MADAGASCARGUATEMALA

MARSHALLISLANDSMICRONESIABANGLADESHMEXICOCOLOMBIASINGAPORE

MALDIVES

MOZAMBIQUE

INDE

QATAR

AUSTRALIA

SOUTH
AFRICANÉPALPAKISTAN

ARABIE Rimpac
OMAN
SAOUDITEPacific Partnership

BRUNEI

MALAYSIA

Provence (2015)

BARHEIN

PHILIPPINES

Cobra GoldCAMBODIA

18)

FS V
en

2015)
ire (
mia
dé

SAUDI
ARABIAINDIA

BHUTANCHINE
KOWEIT

(20
15)

NEPAL

PAKISTAN

Réunion
MADAGASCAR

rc" Mission (2017)
e d’A
ann
"Je

CHINA

BARHAIN
QATAR

Armed Forces in the United
Arab Emirates (FFEAU)
650 personnel

Key Resolve
Ulchi Freedom
Guardian
SOUTH
KOREA

AFGHANISTANCHAMMAL OPERATIONCVBG 2015 - 2016
KUWEIT

JAPAN

2015

2016

2017

2018

FREMM : multi-mission destroyer / FS : surveillance frigate /PP : polar patrol vessel

Armed Forces in
New-Caledonia (FANC)
1,660 personnel

French Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
Military Operations
Xyz

1,000 km2 days of navigation

Military exercices in which France is involved

XYZ XYZ Presence Forces or Sovereignty Forces

France’s main defence partners / Other defence partners

Environmental security: a shared responsibility

Droughts, floods and rising waterlevels, coral reefs erosion are
not just natural events. They arealso military events. They redraw
maps, create new tensions,displace population.
The increase in frequency and intensity of extreme
weather events, the depletion of fishing resources
and water stress hinder the resilience of States,
generate new illicit trafficking and lead to high scale
sanitary risks. By creating new security vulnerabilities,
these phenomena bring new conflicts. The IndoPacific area is particularly concerned.
In her speech given at the Munich Security
Conference in February 2018, the French Ministerfor the Armed Forces, Mrs Florence Parly, announced
that France would get engaged in “an entire sectorof environmental security preventive measures”, thatshould be “a guide of cautiousness and a guide foraction”.
France has been playing a pioneering role in thestrategic integration of the link between defence
and environment, after organising, in 2015, the firstinternational conference at ministerial level dedicatedto the defence and security consequences of climatechange, and after contributing to reaching the Paris

Agreement (22 April 2016). The French Ministry
for the Armed Forces set up, in November 2016, ageopolitical observatory of the security and defence
challenges of climate change. This Observatory
monitors a coordinated study gathering the States
party to the South Pacific Defense Ministers’ Meeting(SPDMM), which aims at assessing the impact ofclimate change on the regional defence cooperation.
The outcome of this study will be immediately
used to optimize the implementation of the FRANZ
Agreements, signed on 1992 by Australia, Franceand New Zealand to coordinate civil and military
assistance on Pacific island countries affected bynatural disasters. The more frequent use of thismechanism highlights the increasing pressure on thearmed forces.
This stronger pressure is also noticeable on themaritime domain awareness. As a member of the
QUAD (Quadrilateral defence Coordination Group)– along with the United States, Australia and New
Zealand –, whose objective is to coordinate thesecurity effort in the Pacific, France supports island
nations in establishing a sustainable managementof their natural resources, particularly fisheries. Thereis little doubt that the constant, and worrying, riseof overfishing in the South Pacific will expend to
the South of the Indian Ocean and to the Southern
Ocean, and as far as the shoreline of Antarctica.

12

France is able to permanently perform assessments
combining maritime surveillance and environmental
security issues thanks to its Navy Officer in Singapore
embedded in the Information Fusion Centre (IFC)
and in the Regional Humanitarian Assistance andDisaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC).
In order to implement a pragmatic and efficient longterm policy of environmental security preventive
measures, France is focusing on three lines ofaction: in-depth assessment of environmental risks,sponsoring of targeted scientific programs andorganisation of regional seminars to raise awarenessand encourage mobilisation. Theses paths open new
fields of cooperation with Indo-Pacific States.
France wishes in priority to hold dialogue with thestakeholders committed to sustainable development
and security in Southeast Asia, which it believes to bea centre of gravity with regards to economy, ecology
and security for the whole Indo-Pacific. From thatperspective, France organised two conferences in
2017, in Vietnam and in Indonesia, and will pursue
this course of action in other ASEAN Member States.

LES ENJEUX DE LASECURITY
ENVIRONMENTALSÉCURITÉ CHALLENGESENVIRONNEMENTALE
IN THE INDO-PACIFICEN INDO-PACIFIQUE
ÉTATS-UNIS
UNITED
STATESD’AMÉRIQUE
OFAMERICARUSSIA

ARTOGRAPHIE RISKDESMAPPINGRISQUES ENVIRONNEMENTAUXECNVIRONMENTAL

Connaissance
anticipation
Knowledge
andetAnticipation

CANADA

L’établissement
des risquesTheestablishmentd’uneof an cartographie
Indo-Pacific environmental
environnementaux
del’Indopacifique,dansle cadrerisk mapping, within the framework of multilateraldecoopérations
multilatérales,
constitue
une
priorité.
cooperation, is a priority. France and Australia haveset
LaFranceetl’Australie
ont
mis
en
place
une
structure
up a dedicated structure in order to jointly assess the
dédiéeafin ind’évaluer
conjointement
le niveaulevel
of risk
the Indianand the Southern
Oceansde–risqueenocéan
Indienetdansl’océanAustralcyclones, fishing resources, pandemics, migrations,–
cyclones,rise.ressources halieutiques, pandémies,
sea-level
migrations, élévation du niveau des mers.

KAZAKHSTANMONGOLIAUZBEKISTAN

CORÉE
NORTH
KOREA
DU NORDKYRGYZSTANTURKMENISTANTAJIKISTANNEPALPAKISTAN
PAKISTAN

INDIA
INDE

SOMALIE
SOMALIA

BHUTANBANGLADESHBANGLADESH
VIETNAMNAM
BURMA VIET
BIRMANIE
LAOS
LAOS
THAILANDTHAÏLANDE
CAMBODGE
CAMBODIASRI LANKA

MALDIVES
MayotteMayotteMOZAMMOZAMBIQUE
BIQUE

CORÉE
SOUTH
DUKOREA
SUD

CHINA
CHINE

AFGHANISTAN

JAPAN
JAPON

P
« ODWIT
BARGE” ROUSSE»“BROGRAMME
AR-TAILED G
PROGRAMTaïwanPHILIPPINES

BRUNEIMALAISIE
MALAYSIA BRUNEISINGAPORE
SINGAPOUR
INDONESIAINDONÉSIEEASTTIMOR
TIMOR

ORIENTAL

PALAU
PALAOSILES
MARSHALLMARSHALLISLANDSMICRONESIAMICRONÉSIEKIRIBATIKIRIBATI

NAURU
NAURU
PAPOUASIEPAPUANOUVELLE-GUINÉENEWGUINEA SOLOMONILES
ISLANDSSALOMONTUVALUTUVALUVANUATU

Tromelin
Tromelin

VANUATU

I lSecsaEt

LaRéunion
Réunionrr
ptea

AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIENew
Nouvelle
Calédonie
Caledonia

FIDJI

WallisWallisetFutuna& Futuna

SAMOA

SAMOA

TONGA

NIUE
NIUE

P
FroelynncéhsPi
eoflry
anne
çsai

aise

MADAGASCARMADAGASCAR

esde
sIs
lan
ds

Alerteprécocealerts
des cyclones
Early warningfor cyclones

Hawaï
Hawai
(E.U.)(U.S.A.)PHILIPPINES

L’observationfine duof migratorycomportementd’oiseauxAn accurate observation
birds could
bring
migrateurs
peut
apporterdesinformations
vitales,vital information, complimentary to satellite data,incomplémentaires
des donnéessatellitaires,
dans leorder to prepare
peopleand armed
forces for climateClipperton
cadre
denaturalla préparation
des populations
et desforcesinducedcatastrophes.
The “Bar-tailed
Godwit”
arméesaux
catastrophes
naturelles
d’origine
Program, monitored by the National Museum forclimatique.
Le programme« Bargeofrousse», pilotéfor
partheleNatural History
with the support
the Ministry
Muséumnationald’histoire
naturelleavec
lesoutienArmed Forces and the Ministry for ecological anddesministèresdes armées
et de laFrance’s
transition
Inclusive
Transition,emphasises
willécologiqueto protectetsolidaire,
illustrelavolontédelaFrancede protéger
its nationals and to contribute to human security
in theses
ressortissants et de contribuer à la sécurité humaine
Indo-Pacific.
en Indo-Pacifique.

FRANCEFRANCE

Amterdam
Iles
Amterdamand Saint-Paul
Islands
et Saint-Paul

ArchipelCrozetCrozet Islands
Kerguelen
IslandsÎles Kerguelen

CHILI
CHILE
NOUVELLENEWZEALANDZÉLANDEI“M
NITIATIVE
PATRIMOINEMARITIME »ARINE L«EGACY” INITIATIVE
Prévention
des crises
Crisis prevention
Zone de surpêche
Overfishingarea
Zonevulnerable
Area
vulnérabletoà larisingmontéewater
deslevelseaux
Zoneexposed
Area
exposée toaux
cyclones
cyclones
AccordsAgreements
FRANZ
FRANZ
Officier français deFrench
RHCC-embedded
liaisonLiaison
RHCC Officer
ContributeurstoauxContributors
environmentalétudes de sécurité
securityenvironnementale
studiesLemaritimed’Asieconnaît
uneseadiminuThebassin
fishingresourcesof dutheSud-Est
Southeast
Asian
basin
tion
préoccupantedesressourceshalieutiques.
La
are depleting significantly. The spread of fishing fleets
dispersion
desflottilles
de
pêche
vers
les
zones
towards the economic exclusive zones of third Stateséconomiques
exclusives d’États
tierstoprovoquedéjà
lealready leads Indo-PacificNations
strengthen
theirdurcissement
despolitiquessécuritaires
des
États
de
security policy. France fosters closer dialogue with itsl’Indo-Pacifique.
La Francejointly
se propose
d’approfondir
lePartners to identify
priority
preventive
dialogueavec
ses
partenaires
pouridentifier
conjointemeasures that need to be undertaken.
ment les mesures préventives prioritaires à entreprendre.

Global commons: a challenge for multilateralismRivalry among states is growing over
the access to strategic shared areas.
The lack of regulation in some fields(spatial, cyber) or the challenges
posed to the established rules inothers (maritime space, air domain and polar
regions) call for a reinforcement of multilateraldialogues in order to promote stability.
Some of the fundamental provisions of the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea are notrespected in the China seas. There is a strong needfor an international mobilisation to counter the
progressive weakening of the law of the sea that could
lead to the rise of interstate tensions.
The issue of freedom of civil and military circulation
also concerns the airspace. Along with maritime areas,
airspace is increasingly subjected to the risk of illicit
trafficking and terrorism. The diminution of interstate
trust could contribute to increasing these threats.
The demilitarised Antarctic region is characterised byits status of “natural reserve dedicated to peace andscience”. This status is questioned by some powerfulstates coveting the primary raw materials of thecontinent, as well as the mineral and fishery resourcesof the Southern Ocean. The difficulty of establishingextended protected maritime areas within theframework of the Antarctic treaty system illustrates theneed for increased alertness, in order to ensure that theAntarctic is not turned into an area of competition.
In the spatial field, the multiplication of public andprivate actors has several effects: it trivialises the accessto the exo-atmospheric space, increases the risk ofproliferation, intensifies industrial competition, andfuels interstate rivalry.
Within cyberspace, the frequency, scope andtechnological sophistication of malicious actions
increase. Some States support these actions andtherefore get closer to the use of force and armed
attack, which could result in important damages.
Counterterrorism and cyber security policies focus on
the detention, cross-referencing and exploitation ofdigital information in order to protect personal data, totrace and counter cyber-attacks.
Faced with these new global challenges, France
will continue to promote the rule of law based on
the United Nations Charter over the use of force ininternational relations.

14

The French ambitious
cyberdefense policy
The 2018 Strategic Review on Cyber Defense builds up arobust national apparatus for the adequate protection ofdata. It seeks several objectives:
A better integration of our cyber defensemeans, based on better coordination between the
different services involved.
The strengthening of our cyber protection
device; the reinforcement of the State networks
resiliency and of operators of vital importance, as
well as of other essential services.
The regulation of cyberspace, through therespect and implementation of international law
and of certified standards of behaviour.
A reinforcement of our technical, structuraland operational cooperation with our allies andpartners, mainly within the European Union andNATO.

“L’Astrolabe”, a polar patrol vessel committed to the Antarctic
Treaty System

Territories (TAAF) and theFrench Polar InstitutePaul-Emile
Victor (IPEV).
Her mission consists inensuring the logistic
supply by sea of the twoscientific stations Dumontd’Urville and Concordia (aFranco-Italian station).
These stations are managed,
from a functional andaresearch
programperspective, by the IPEV
(jointly with the Programma
Nazionale Di Richerche in
Antarctiche in Concordia).
© Marine Nationale

178 years after the
expedition led by the
French Navy Captain
Dumont d’Urville, thefirst man ever to set footon Antarctica (20 January
1840), the French Navy isback in Terre Adélie.
With the maiden voyage
of“L’Astrolabe”,
inNovember 2017, theFrench Armed Forces
added a new competency

to the spectrum of theircapabilities: ice navigation.
This mission has been
carried out strictly inaccordance with theframework defined by the
Antarctic Treaty System.
This polar patrol vesselis the result of apartnership between the
French Navy, the French
Administration for SubAntarctic and Antarctic

The
preservationofthe international status
of Antarctica and theSouthern Ocean - “Nature
Reserve dedicated topeace and science” - is apriority for France.

Naval and Air
Power projection

Freedom of maritime
and air navigation is afundamental principle ofinternational relations,guaranteed by the United
Nations Convention on the
Law Of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This principle is essential
to the credibility of thedecisions made by theUnited Nations Security
Council, each time they
are to be enforced bymilitary means. It also
contributes to the strategic
autonomy of States, which
is beneficial to maintaining
a rules-based international
order.

© EMA/Armée de l’air

France detains Powerprojection capabilities
that only a limited
number of States areable to avail themselves.
The Carrier Strike Groupcentred on the aircraft
carrier “Charles de Gaulle”
can be deployed over
all the seas of the
globe, for long periodsof time while embarking
navalized Rafale fighter
jets as well as Hawkeye
airborne early warningand control aircrafts. Theinteroperability with the
French Air Force (Rafale,strategic airlift A400M,
tanker aircrafts A330MRTT, etc.) and with theallied U.S. forces in the
Indo-Pacific is absolute.
It is notably ensured
by strategic satellite
systems,whichareimplemented under theset of international rules
framing the use of theouter space.
France is particularly
attached to the principledmanagement of the global
commons through legal
procedures and dialogue.

© Marine Nationale

Structuring partnerships in the armament sphereF

rance is the sixth largest economy
in the world. It has comprehensive
and independent military resources,
as illustrated by its autonomous
design and manufacturing of nuclear
deterrence capabilities, satellites, fighter
aircraft, submarines, ships, tanks, combat
vehicles, missiles of all kinds, and all equipment
contributing to C4ISR (Computerized Command,
Control, Communication, Intelligence, Surveillance,
Reconnaissance).
This capacity is unique in Europe, based on strong
and innovative industrial resources. Its defense
technological and industrial base is made of adozen world-class firms and around 4,000 small
and medium companies. Sustaining the vitalityof this ecosystem is a major concern to protect
French sovereignty.
Guaranteeing the supply and the operational
readiness of armed forces’ equipment, inparticular of those engaged in the deterrence
policy, is a condition for French freedom of action.
In this respect, it constitutes a pillar of its strategic
autonomy, as it was reaffirmed in the Strategic
Review on defense and National Security.

The armament cooperation policy of France ischaracterised by its experience, its openness toindustrial cooperation, transfer of technology andexpertise, as well as the provision of long-term
training, logistics support and assistance.
France is the fourth-largest armament exporterand contributes to building and modernising
its allies and partners’ defense capabilities. In
the Indo-Pacific, Australia, India, Malaysia andSingapore are France’s most important Partners.
France is also developing cooperation in this fieldwith most of the Indo-Pacific States and attends
on a regular basis to the defense equipment
exhibitions organised in the region.
By strengthening its partnerships, France ismaterialising in a concrete manner its cooperation
policy in the military sphere, a key element of its
foreign policy. The on-going momentum allows
capitalising on armament communities to foster
interoperability and to consider joint operations.
France exports control policy is strict and in linewith its international commitments and theprinciples of transparency as well as protectionof human rights. These efforts aim at preserving
international stability.

16

A long-term capacity support
The establishment of trust-based relations
between France and its partners is a prerequisite
for all armament contracts. It is pre-requisite forsuch long-term engagements, which represent
a significant human, technical and budgetaryinvestment for the importer.
France’s objective is to develop a close and longterm relationship in order to create favourable
conditions for the conclusion of structuring tradedeals for the bilateral relationship. Contracts
signed with India, Australia as well as those with
Malaysia and Singapore constitute some examplesof this approach.
This engagement comes with the development ofa long-term political dialogue.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF FRENCH ORDERS 2012-2016
Asia
34,1%

Near and Middle East

24,091.2 M€

Central Asia

499.7 M€

Africa3,6%
North-East Asia

2,202.5 M€

Oceania
1,1%Americas
5,1%
Other
1,7%
Europe6,9%Near andMiddle East
47,4%

MAIN PARTNERS OF FRANCE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC AS REGARDS TO ARMAMENTS
in millions of euros (2008-2017)
AUSTRALIA

OceaniaSouth Asia

10,473.4 M€

566.7 M€

776

INDONESIA

1,357

SOUTH KOREA

1,540

MALAYSIA

1,807

SINGAPORE
INDIA

2,352
13,411

18
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Editorial board

Directorate General for International Relations and Strategy
Philippe Errera (Director General)
Commander Jérôme Chardon (Head of Asia-Pacific Desk)
Mariam Pontoni (Asia-Pacific Desk), Lucie Lelyon (Graphic design)
DICoD
Commander Jérôme Baroë (Head of the Publications Office)Jean-François Munier (Head of Production)
Cover: Jean-Charles Mougeot
www.defense.gouv.fr

20