Skip to main content
France

France, Germany to share military facilities post Brexit

France and Germany announced plans to share an air base and transport planes as part of a military shake-up in the wake of Britain's vote to quit the European Union.

This file picture shows French defence minister Jean Yves Le Drian and his German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen.
This file picture shows French defence minister Jean Yves Le Drian and his German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch
Advertising

The two countries signed an agreement with a view to sharing C-130J Super Hercules military transport planes, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in Paris.

His German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen, in Paris to sign the deal, told reporters both countries wanted to have the new arrangement in place by 2021.

France ordered four C-130Js from US company Lockheed in January. Germany was looking to acquire between four and six of the same aircraft and to base them in France, said Von der Leyen. The two countries were looking at using an air base in Orleans, central France, she added.

A member of Le Drian's team said the idea was to make the planes operational for both French and German crew in a first for the two air forces.

In July, just weeks after Britain's referendum vote to quit the European Union, Von der Leyen said London had “paralysed” European efforts for a more closely integrated policy. The EU should seize the opportunity to change that, she argued.

French officials had said last month that Paris and Berlin were drawing up plans for a more “active and useful” defence policy.

- with AFP

Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning

Keep up to date with international news by downloading the RFI app

Share :
Page not found

The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.