France has moved to speed up missile manufacturing after military operations in the Middle East exposed weaknesses in its ammunition stockpiles, Gen. Jérôme Bellanger revealed.
The issue surfaced during missions conducted against drone and missile threats targeting partner forces, with French aircraft relying heavily on Dassault Rafale jets carrying MICA air-to-air missiles.
In an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, Bellanger noted that the missions also utilized rotary-wing platforms, including Eurocopter Fennec helicopters and Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters.
France is now pushing defense companies to expand production capacity to meet increasing operational requirements while considering more cost-effective counter-UAS measures, including the use of cannons and laser-guided rockets.
Despite the surge in operational demand, Bellanger underscored the importance of sustaining readiness for key responsibilities such as national airspace protection and the airborne nuclear deterrence mission. French airpower assets remain heavily engaged, with much of the combat aviation fleet currently tied to active deployments and preparedness duties.
