France dislikes European defense
France prefers Europe not to deal with defense, rather than to deal with it badly. “The European agenda to support the defense industry is useful, but it must not lead to European taxpayers' money being spent on producing American equipment under license. While this may give some people the illusion of European autonomy, it would above all put us at the mercy of a strategic U-turn by our American ally”, explained Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu at the New Year's ceremony in the cour d'honneur of Les Invalides.
Les Echos