Which country has the most powerful military: UK or France?

What are the latest figures regarding the UK's three armed services and how do they compare with the French, and does it really matter?
Forces News looks at how many troops, warships and fighter jets the French and British Armed Forces can muster.
More: www.forces.net/politics/france-v-uk-how-do-both-militaries-stack-comparison
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[@jimramsey8887]

I'm a Very old Brit and I am ashamed about many ridiculous comments about the French military. The Brits only talk about past glory that is in our favour. Don't forget the many extremely brave French people in occupied France in WWII and going back a bit further, Yorktown.. We all know what politicians are like on both sides but we are important allies and friends.

[@richardsawyer5428]

Well said. No doubt that there is banter between French and British warriors of equal stature but rude and inaccurate comments about their military is just plain wrong, especially if it dishonours any person putting themselves in harm's way for our collective good.

[@labechamel75]

Plus Brits tend to forget they escaped in Dunkirk during WWII and their army was saved by French!

[@RonSill1986]

​@La Béchamel half of the solders rescued at Dunkirk were French and Belgian. Thousands of British soldiers died and got captured

[@RonSill1986]

​@La Béchamel half of the solders rescued at Dunkirk were French and Belgian. Thousands of British soldiers died and got captured

[@RonSill1986]

​​@VIPICCB8 😂😂😂 the British have a useless military? Then why have they won the most wars and battles between both countries? When fighting against each other

[@Marshal_Dunnik]

The French Army has better wine, the British Army has better tea

[@elifitness1923]

😂😂😂😂

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

@@louisdrouard9211 People say that but French food is vile, give me steak and chips over French food any day

[@Jamirio]

@@mrcaboosevg6089 Well, whoever said that is either a hater or had zero experience... French food is easily amongst the best of the best...

[@hudson7354]

@@Jamirio it’s not even close to being as good as Italian food, and Italy have more World cups than France

[@synkaan2167]

@@hudson7354 world cups 😂

[@jackwoodason9908]

Glad to have France as our ally! 🇬🇧 🇫🇷

[@Zoonjse]

Iceland here, good friends

[@pingspiritpingspirit4099]

Des amis comme vous... On n'a pas besoins d'ennemis ! Humour...

[@fabs8498]

Glad to have UK as our ally

[@AROSTARctb10]

Glad to have our best friend Portugal 🇵🇹🇬🇧

[@quentinp45]

Glad to have Uk as ally !

[@yanflt7198]

As a French, I like to have a rivalry with the English, whom I consider as our oldest enemies. I often make little jokes about them, I tackle them nicely, etc... But if I hear someone else (from another country) criticizing the English people, then I defend them even better than if I were defending myself: nobody attacks our old English friends! French and English: the oldest rivals but also the oldest friends 🇫🇷🤝🇬🇧

[@spitfires1979]

That’s good to hear, my friend - thank you. Likewise, the English would never stand by and watch a Frenchman or his country be harmed. Good neighbours are not always best friends but they are there for each other when it really matters. Vive La France.

[@thomasmuller2233]

Leche cul

[@user-mg3xr9tz7m]

Oldest friends? So 700 years of war and about 100 years of strained cooperation makes you state that? Delusional…

[@yanflt7198]

@@user-mg3xr9tz7m As the saying goes, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” We've been doing that for centuries and look how close we've become ! History is full of twists and turns, and just like a good marriage, we've had our ups and downs! After all, it takes time to build a solid friendship 😉

[@spitfires1979]

@@user-mg3xr9tz7m You’re delusional if you think that anyone still cares about Agincourt and distant historical conflict. France and Britain aren’t unbreakable allies and closely tied culturally. The last century has seen a complete re-invention of the two country’s political and social relationship, the 2 World Wars and the cold war having much do do with it, and the huge numbers of citizens from both sides of the channel living in the other country. The relationship is only ‘strained’ when one leader or another chooses to inflame a little tension to detract from his domestic issues.

[@allgood3192]

The experience accumulated by England and France in the number of operations, battles and wars is absolutely monstrous. This military alliance between our two countries is really a good thing.

[@mrfrisky6501]

England?? - its the UK

[@shacklock01]

@@mrfrisky6501 Not for much longer at this rate. No celt wants to be ruled endlessly by the tory party and I don't blame them.

[@MC-cg2rr]

Is it though? The UK seems to only be able to follow Uncle Sam…

[@mrfrisky6501]

@@shacklock01 well I'm Scottish and I can tell you the majority of the people in Scotland want to remain as part of the UK- we won the independence vote and the SNP are still a minority party.

[@jfrancobelge]

@@MC-cg2rr Both the UK and France are NATO members anyway, in the same boat as the U.S.

[@ryanschrimpf8163]

The UK and France are two of the greatest military (and cultural) powers to ever exist. They laid the framework for every other successful modern military. Glad to have them both as allies! 🇬🇧🇫🇷 much love from a grateful American.

[@dazvanth]

Much love to you also my American brother, coming from the UK. It irritates to see many foolish people in the comments and elsewhere spending more time crying and insulting allied countries instead of acknowledging that we all have strengths that, when united, make us an undisputed force to be reckoned with. They're like a cancer within. The best of us will always be loyal to each other. 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇫🇷

[@ryanschrimpf8163]

@@dazvanth absolutely, sir! You have said it beautifully. I could care less about the detractors. The USA wouldn’t exist without the UK and France. It’s awesome that we’re such close allies now and hopefully we get a free trade agreement between the UK and US asap! God bless you and His Majesty, my friend! 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@sylvainduret9880]

Vive la Liberté !

[@dazvanth]

@@ryanschrimpf8163 May God bless you too brother! ❤

[@limitlessLtd]

We are glad to have America as an ally, your military wipes the floor with literally every other nations including Chinas. God bless America, Vive le France, and God save the King!

[@Walterwaltraud]

Made me chuckle: "and of course, we're allies". Probably worth mentioning after hundreds of years when it was the opposite.

[@diggit67]

I was about say the same thing is it like we're both shake hands and smile but we all both have knives in the back ready and waiting god bless rugby 🏉 after hundreds of years of fighting 😆😆

[@adoatero5129]

- "Probably worth mentioning after hundreds of years when it was the opposite." Propagandists of hostile countries also constantly work hard on social media to get people of the democratic countries to see other democratic countries as their enemies and in general negatively, so it's good to counter that influence with realism.

[@richardsawyer5428]

We're siblings. The two nations squabble and call eachother rude names but won't let others bully them.

[@god_ynwa]

Allies officially but I'm happy to be living on the south coast incase our 'allies' invade. Got my Russian made shovel at the ready😂

[@peterlubbers5947]

My thoughts exactly!😉🙏

[@goeast12]

The French certainly get high marks from every American that has trained with them and their ability to sustain a fight far from home is very impressive. The US is fortunate to have allies like the French and Brits.

[@l-esprit_de_l-ouest]

Not allies but vassals.

[@kettle4316]

​​@@l-esprit_de_l-ouest what have you been smoking

[@mathieumercier7936]

​​@@kettle4316 Just look at the last 30 years, and you'll see it's true. When France didn't go to Iraq following USA's obviously fake evidences of mass destruction weapons, USA started to boycott French products. Then you got all the fines USA inflicted to French companies for activities conducted on foreign territory, often used to destabilize French economy and key companies such as Alstom (which produces nuclear gear used for French military and civilian industry and whom one of its high ranking employee got sequestrated by FBI and imprisonned for acts he did not commit on USA's territory) sold for a portion of its real value to a dying General Electrics against a promise to pay their fine (obviously that was a lie). The economic warfare is not only USA vs China, it's USA vs the world, and European countries got pretty much vassalised. Add to that how USA is forcing NATO members to buy their military equipment from them exclusively when Europe already has an industry : Germany went for the F35 instead of the Typhoon or the Rafale. An they even put all their pressure to make Australia break their engagement with France for their navy and to buy from them oversized, over expensive ships in order to 1 : get money and 2 : have a stronger vassal to fight the Chinese in the pacific. There's also all the spying going on for several years now : each European country has a portion of its politicians spied on by NSA, sometimes with the help of European countries such as Denmark, sometimes simply with illegal phone hacking etc. So much care given to their allies... With such kind of allies, we don't need ennemies.

[@gringologie9302]

@@kettle4316 we want france out of NATO and UE. We want our independence back. You can perfectly understand that.

[@l-esprit_de_l-ouest]

@@kettle4316 you just probe americans are memes. Too stupid to understand basics about geopolitics. Nato have no purpose to France, us + uk are blowing on the fire in Europe it happened in yougoslavia and now in Ukraine. Hopefully world economy is going out of dollar and you will pay the bill .

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

I am glad France is one of our best allies. I know we have little quarrels like all couples do but at the end of the day we love each other and if someone was to attack us we would be stronger together.

[@GolgothFranc]

Atleast we did proper war, fought with respect of the chivalry code, when i see the WW1 mess and how Irak got destroyed by USA, i get nauseous.

[@TheHugo215]

Like an ex-girlfriend we still love 💗

[@alexisbelfer7881]

@@TheHugo215 more like a brother we used to fight agaisnt when young kid.

[@theGEOm]

Je suis entièrement d'accord

[@drschnaps8081]

I only love english people that doesn't bash my country and respect it.

[@mylesbamford-lewis554]

Military doctrines for the 2 countries are completely different as well. France has an emphasis on mobility so their armour tends to be lighter but more agile which is how they were quite effective in Mali

[@fightforaglobalfirstamendm5617]

Coping? Rather than embarrass yourself by going to the ‘their different’ actually push your elected officials to rebuild the military!

[@dracoboomin6511]

France was useless in Mali hence the Malians kicking them out for Wagner.

[@josephkaz9093]

Didnt they have to rely on the RAF to provide lift capability?

[@fightforaglobalfirstamendm5617]

@@josephkaz9093 the RAF relied on the USAF the so does everyone. It’s not right. Why should they protect us when looking at the state of our military and the budget, recruitment numbers and the media make it look like we’re not even prepared to protect ourselves?

[@steveh5005]

@@josephkaz9093 in Mali correct...

[@philchristmas4071]

Both great militaries and as an American I sleep better at night knowing we all fight together. 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇫🇷

[@jimramsey8887]

Thanks! It is all about Cooperation and workong together. A Great thanl you to your brave countrymen in WWII

[@colinmathieu3262]

🇬🇧🇺🇸🇫🇷💙🤍❤️

[@thegto8535]

Fight together ? That's a bit of a stretch. It may be true for USA and GB but i don't think you have the same relationship with France, especially these last few years.

[@tonyhancock4258]

And lost together in Afghanistan and Iraq. 👌

[@philchristmas4071]

@@tonyhancock4258 Yeah we killed Bin Laden and tens of thousands of terrorists. Then we destroyed the Iraq military like it was a practice game, killed most of Saddam Husseins family and handed Saddam off to the Iraqi people to be lynched so I would call that a pretty good day. Oh you thought we were there to take the countries, no we're not like Russia we just try to liberate and hand off to the people.

[@Thumder75]

As a French I have to say I really smile at the last sentence « and of course we are ally ». After fighting together for centuries we finally managed to get together 🤗👍

[@CazTanto]

We love to hate each other; hate to love each other (at least to admit it). But woe betide any nation that dares mess with either one of us, for they will face the wrath of sisters! ❤️🩶💙

[@dennislions1]

100% we are France and united kingdom together forever like sisters / brothers

[@alumni2a692]

Quick note about the french Navy: it possesses 3 modern mistral class LHDs.

[@thomassenbart]

Which are very impressive vessels.

[@laurentboitouzet9793]

Plus the Charles de Gaulle IS the only non us nuclear powered carrier, and it has a CATOBAR system.

[@rayofhope1114]

Yes but the UK has 6 amphibious vessels - a different configuration certainly but a very flexible force. It is an issue where most comparative analyses only take the basic Wikipedia navy list but the UK has the RFA and Serco to add to the list of ships. Overall the tonnage of the total RN is almost twice the size of the French

[@sayzen4588]

@@rayofhope1114 But we have a nuclear carrier

[@rayofhope1114]

@@sayzen4588 The nuclear part is the propulsion system and not the armament. Having a nuclear boiler fir a steam turbine does not make the ship more powerful as a weapon. In fact with only one ship having nuclear propulsion is a disadvantage - diplomatic visits are restricted and you always need escorting fleet which are not nuclear powered - therefore you need a tanker support to fuel the fleet of ships in any case. It only makes sense to have a nuclear powered ship if you have many of them . All France has gained is a more expensive ship that needs long periods of repair and refuelling.. one ship is not a full capability - you. Need at least two ships to give cover.

[@philippwidenfels8182]

We are brothers , brothers do quarrel but family is family

[@henricloclo1598]

You forgot to mention that the french aircraft carrier is nuclear powered has catapults and stop bits and carriers 40 Rafale which are french made (as good or even better than the F-35 (which are American made ) you just have to look at the competitions in India, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Grece and so on and remember : it’s not because you are “stealth” that we can’t see you 🙃) and always carries airborne nuclear bombs as well as aerial surveillance aircrafts. Still concerning the navy, you forgot to mention that France has 3 helicopter carriers :). Last but not least, the French aircraft carrier was completely modernized 3 years ago and cannot absolutely not be referred to as “old”. The remarks regarding the Rafale and the F-35 for the navy also applies to the Air Force. Thank you for the well made vidéo tough. Greetings from Switzerland.

[@AngelinaJolie734]

And if Brithish Army want new airplanes, we will be very happy to sell you some Rafales.

[@EnglishScripter]

Rafales are no where near as good as the F-35, which is American and British made. The F-35 could fire missiles and be 150nm away before the Rafale even knew it had been fired upon. British Destroyers are MUCH better than the French, the French even preferred HMS Duncan over its own fleet.

[@antoinesalou1072]

@@EnglishScripter In the first place the rafale and the f35 are two aircraft which have a similar score if we look at the great majority of international reports and competition reports (in spite of all the technical deficiencies that the f35 still knows nowadays). unfortunately for the detractors of dassault aviation, the f4 version of the rafale (last modernized version) has just been released... Thus, the rafale still confirms its position as "the best fighter aircraft in the world" ;) The french sailors prefer your fregates ? i remind you that the french navy received for the third year in a row the "Hook 'Em award" delivered by the us navy. this highlights the quality of the french fregates especially in term of anti underwater detection. The americans also recognize that the french are better than them in this field.

[@EnglishScripter]

@@antoinesalou1072 Its a destroyer... and the F-22 and F-35 could easily destroy a rafle.

[@mikelovesbacon]

I'm sorry did you just claim the old Rafales are as good as the brand new F35s?

[@artymiomio8491]

just a quick correction, a 5th generation fighter jet isn't necessarely better than a 4.5, in the case of the rafale jet and the F-35, the french jet has shown better results than its american concurrent (pardon my English...)

[@TeamOfWings]

It’s also much much cheaper to maintain in condition. The F35 is crazy expensive

[@GaspardLeTetard]

@@TeamOfWings and cant fly that much. it's down times for maintenance are huge

[@harrycox8085]

The Rafale cannot conduct the same mission sets as an F-35...

[@TeamOfWings]

@@harrycox8085 perhaps not. It also doesn’t cost the GDP of a small nation just to keep in working condition

[@GaspardLeTetard]

@@harrycox8085 which is staying in a hangar 90% of their life time, what a mission 😉

[@JohnDoe-cr6ct]

I remember reading the blog of a US military in Afghanistan who was embedded with french army. He was telling something like “The only soldiers here who really want to fight are the Americans, Brits and French.”

[@hudson7354]

They all ended up running out though. The Italians performed better in Afghanistan, much better

[@JohnDoe-cr6ct]

@@hudson7354 About the Italians this US Marine also said that "the Italian Army, was widely believed to have paid the Taliban not to attack them". I'm not sure we can call that an amazing performance!!! Just google "Chris Hernandez working with French Army" you'll find that blog easily.

[@Tunechi241]

@@hudson7354 Yes by bribing local warlords

[@LOeuffy]

Are you refering to the blog named "working with the french army"? I read it one time, it was such a pleasure to read this blog after decades of french-bashing.

[@christoguichard4311]

What about the Danes???

[@grill38]

France has a special unit force called Antoine Dupont as well !

[@oscarontheroad]

😂😂😂

[@CFMLEAP]

The French carrier has a catapult system which means they can launch their E2-D Hawkeye from the carrier for early warning. We can’t do that. Because we couldn’t even afford a catapult on our carriers.

[@murphy7801]

It's also a nuclear carrier which the UK also doesn't have.

[@johnalmason]

@murphy7801 - The two new Royal Navy carriers were designed and built with conventional propulsion instead of nuclear because it meant they could operate with a smaller crew (nuclear powered vessels need an entire department of nuke-qualified officers and ratings, thereby increasing the size of the ship's company). It also meant that they could navigate and operate in areas of the world where nuclear-powered vessels are banned, for example the Suez Canal.

[@alexmas9086]

​@@johnalmason the french carrier already mass throught suez canal

[@TheTraveller20081]

​@@murphy7801 no, that's the future carrier. The Charles de Gaulle is conventionally-powered

[@mathieu722]

@@TheTraveller20081 No, France is the only country outside the US to have a nuclear-powered carrier. The CdG is nuclear, not conventional.

[@jimdoyle8757]

We've had some scraps with the noisy neighbours for nearly a thousand years and we have this love hate relationship with them but im glad they are an allie of ours 🇬🇧🇫🇷

[@tonyz7216]

Ha ha! I liked your comment !😘 from 🇫🇷!

[@LOeuffy]

Well said.

[@oliviermancy4676]

We are brothers. The very first friends we made after moving from Paris to South-west France were british. Just because they were constantly laughing in that restaurant lunching on a table next to ours, we invited them at our place to have coffee right after their desert and despite the fact we had some political differences (some tories, some labours) we had a great time and still do. It was eleven years ago and after many shared X'mas and bbq's, we are friends with dozens of british families. Some left and some are newcomers. The drift is still.

[@sakarkolachhapati9793]

UK and France are brothers? Really?

[@labechamel75]

Vive la France 🇫🇷 !

[@BG-oj6zt]

The Reafal is a phenomenal jet.....

[@hervescellier6943]

Rafale

[@ommsterlitz1805]

0:47 biggest joke in here, Typhoon and Fcrash-35 are not in the slightest as capable as the Rafale is lmao

[@olivierpuyou3621]

What is symptomatic of British military spending much higher than that of France while having a smaller and certainly less seasoned army is the fact that France manufactures practically everything itself and only buys the minimum in other countries. This also means that French arms exports are much more than those of the United Kingdom. Neither France nor the French would ever agree to be like the English, almost dependent on the US for its security. Now we are allies, so the weaknesses of one can be compensated by the strengths of the other, but we must, all of us Western European countries, strengthen our armies and our navies as quickly as possible. Winter is coming 😐

[@skylinecams7851]

"almost entireley dependent on the us for security" what plannet are you on, the military needs are completely different. we are on an island guarded by the sea, we dont a large standing army. By tonnage we have a larger navy than the rest of europe combined all desinged and built right here in the UK

[@snowtfl5617]

I don’t think you understand the British military at all its more then capable of protecting itself through its navy which is more advanced then France and every. Other European nation its nuclear subs patrol the seas their army is small due to the fact they have no need of a massive one throughout their history they maintained a small professional army until wartime then it would expand

[@gareth4592]

The UK doctrine is all about Navy, theres no land border to defend so having a massive Army isnt that important. France on the otherhand is mixed doctrine but historically more focused on Land. Thats because the best way to attack France is via the European plain. UK is better on the Seas, France is better on land. Makes perfect sense

[@Spartan-jg4bf]

@Skyline Cams Sorry, total nonsense, the RN is the largest by tonnage in Europe, but its nowhere near more than all the European navies combined

[@labechamel75]

The budget does not mean anything if you fabricate your armament at home. Only 3 countries in the world are fully independent concerning their military-industrial complex: USA, Russia and France. As France does not have any go-between foreign partners in the fabrication process, France needs less budget compared to the UK.

[@gerrylewis5281]

Why on earth are we looking at who has the strongest military strength between the UK and France???? It is irrelevant, we are allies. 🇲🇫🇲🇫🇬🇧🇬🇧.

[@ouafallouz]

When Britain and France work together and go along well, there is no other military power in Europe that can realistically stop us, not even Russia. Vive l'amitié franco-britannique 🇫🇷🇬🇧

[@TheDanielb554]

The British and French also work very closely on many projects even though we have the banter.

[@paxundpeace9970]

Called Nato

[@TheDanielb554]

@@paxundpeace9970 no that is alot bigger i mean Anglo French only.

[@Boeing777FR]

Honestly when we work together we achieve great things 🇫🇷🇬🇧

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

@@paxundpeace9970 UK and France have been together on nearly everything since WW1, NATO is a defensive pact and isn't much help to either nation unless it's attacked

[@fredericksandelia9648]

@@TheDanielb554 More precisely the Lancaster House Treaties.

[@THEBES86]

polite reminder that we are allies at the end :)

[@mikerigley1]

I was expecting “but remember, they are French, so we’d beat them anyway.”

[@latch9781]

*T's & C's apply*

[@patsanters2741]

@@mikerigley1 We'd throw Onions at them 🤣

[@Rampart.X]

Frenemies

[@johnmontgomery4923]

pOLITE REMINDER. THE FRENCH LIKE TO DROP THEIR WEAPONS AND RAISE THEIR HANDS

[@randombillyn]

France also have 3 Mistral class helicopter carriers

[@vigilante3916]

Obviously they will not say it because it's UK government sponsored video

[@councilestateproduct]

I respect the French military past and present, I get the banter between Britain and France but too many are far too serious. 🇬🇧🤝🇲🇫

[@pochtronvirelune25]

Something that is not taken in account here is the tremendous gap between France and UK about dependancy of military equipment provide by foreign countries (USA). UK is a follower of the USA, France isn't. Doing its own wars and military operation where she wants most of the time.

[@davidhouseman4328]

The UK isn't restricted when in can fight.

[@adelaidesngan604]

​@@davidhouseman4328 English army RUNNING top 1 🏃🏃🏳️

[@davidhouseman4328]

@@adelaidesngan604 thanks.

[@GonzoTehGreat]

What military equipment does the UK depend on the USA for which France doesn't?

[@noelgrippen4707]

Mali was anything but an independent operation, it wouldn't of been possible without the heavy lift capabilities from the US and UK. France struggles to deploy without help from allies.

[@TheNinjaGinger]

Technically the RAF has 30 F-35B's although three of those reside in the US for testing, as for the RN element of F-35s, the two RAF units are jointly flown and maintained by RAF & RN personnel. The first Naval Air Squadron is supposed to stand up this year but that is currently unknown as they don't have any building space and Marham and the MoD have no money to retrofit and build new facilities for them for the area they are supposed to go.

[@ghostwriter2031]

You just summed it up very well. The MOD doesn’t have enough money to upgrade Marham. Oh wow we technically have 30 F-35’s but not the infrastructure to support them 😂 British Defence at its finest

[@TheNinjaGinger]

@VIPICCB8 The whole American pilots & American flight deck crew couldn't be anymore wrong, there is a shortage of pilots with 617 and 207 help supply if needed. The Royal Navy has enough trained crews for both carrier to operate concurrently. As for "light carrier", The Queen Elizabeth class is not one of those, that would be for the US Amphibious assault ships. With regard to PWLS not having an air wing is in no way connected to damage to the prop, trying to connect the two is a desperate attempt to argue against it and the tug comment is totally fabricated and false.

[@conan5300]

​@@TheNinjaGinger He's a troll don't bother replying. Most of that post is false flag waving nonsense.

[@TheNinjaGinger]

@danthecarguy3870 To what stupid projects are you referring to?

[@YARROWS9]

France is a great military power. Glad they are on our side. Vive la France 🇫🇷 🇬🇧

[@LOeuffy]

Glory to our british allies. Long live the United Kingdom.

[@stevecroft3973]

Uk should open up a defence industry again and bring back the respect and honour of itsself aswell as its independence in not relying on the US to provide and make everything ! Would create more jobs , and bring back the steel works , would get smaller towns more infrastructure and could build a better bond with uk allies. Selling UK arms could be a game changer in our economy , we've been one of the best providers in history when it comes to making military equipment , just don't be selling it to Iran and training chinease pilots again please 😀 👍

[@arbiter9187]

We do have a defensive industry, BAE systems for example, which is all the previous industry that we had but amalgamated into one thing. The problem is the government don’t invest enough into helicopters and cargo aircraft.

[@stevecroft3973]

@Arbiter well yets get rid of this perthetic torie goverment and change uk future for the better 🇬🇧. Sick to death of my people struggling continuously yet they get pay rises every term and bring in laws and tax rises that effect out forces and public sector workers. Gotta be the worst goverment performance in 30 years !

[@johnscone9382]

@@arbiter9187 Agree, but the industry needs to expand again, round the clock production, especially ammo, missiles, weapons, maybe they’ll use the new budget defence spending on this. But UKs biggest problem is manpower.

[@atomic4650]

That's what is most impressive about France's millitary. Pretty much all of their equipment is homemade

[@richardsawyer5428]

I agree. Just look at all those apprentices that worked on the aircraft carriers. Our engineers, shipbuilders, etc are some of the best on the planet. We're more than capable of making kit that our friends and allies need.

[@BruneSixtine]

We're close friends and our countries are very similar on so many levels, our 2 armies struggle with the same challenges. I wish we both get better political leaders to solve our problems, which are most of the time very similar.

[@kevinworrall231]

We the UK don't spend our money wisely we waste a lot of money

[@evrydayamerican]

I love this channel just wish the videos was longer

[@v.7232]

Also, france has a total of 406 leclercs, 191 are in storage but can be operational in a very short timespan.

[@plamantin2937]

Lol id want to see that

[@v.7232]

@@plamantin2937 i must clarify, getting the storaged tanks operational is different from getting them to the same variant. I have no info on which variant/upgrade/etc these are.

[@plamantin2937]

@@v.7232 they have been canibalise for years now, There is no way France field more than 200 tanks at one time

[@ptranchand52]

@@plamantin2937 225 are in active service and modernized to the last standards, you are right, the other are in reserve at different stage of use. the problem is about the engine. it's a combination of a turbine for the compression and a diesel engine, very impressive and powerful engine, a little capricious at the beginning. this engine is no more produced and the spare parts must be produced by other manufacturers or cannibalize from existing Leclerc. this is a big problem at this time.

[@plamantin2937]

@@ptranchand52 225 on services mean There are about 170 that are not on maintenance

[@Kingleazard]

you cannot compare F35 to rafale, the rafale is much more versatile.

[@MrDakkyz]

Wonder where the UK budget is been spent or pocketed.

[@saundyuk]

In terms of the military, we spend 2.1% of our GDP, which will be rising to 2.25% very soon. We're one of the few that actually meets the 2% NATO target. France currently doesn't (1.85%). Now, if you're talking about undeclared spend - well those are called Black Book projects for a reason. They don't show up on official spending figures.

[@lorrainemartin371]

France for sure

[@iammyriad71]

You missed the type 26s as well.

[@arnaudpollet-thiollier6054]

Good conclusion! 👍

[@DesignGeek06]

I feel both the UK and France are like two brothers. When they were young, they were always getting into fist fights, now they are older the fights are just bickering and getting on each other’s nerves from time to time. But heaven help you if someone outside the family picks a fight with one of them, as the other will jump in and fight tooth and nail to help.

[@LondonsFinestSon]

Apples and Oranges. Land power vs. Island nation. Which suggests the UK is lacking significantly given the French 'edge' that too. The main difference is that the French actually make things in France. We just muddle for decades and spend way more than we need to, and then another round of privately educated accountants show up in government and pull figures out of their arse and cull whole regiments. Disgusting state of affairs.

[@davidhouseman4328]

France doesn't edge the Navy, the 17 frigates for example include Floreals, which are basically an OPV.

[@LondonsFinestSon]

@@davidhouseman4328 The UK is an island nation with a decent-sized EEZ and has global interests routed in our dependence on the sea, and can barely deploy naval assets without calling on allies to pick up some slack. Defence implications aside, it’s deeply embarrassing for a nation with such a proud maritime history. Our ‘leaders’ should be ashamed of themselves.

[@davidhouseman4328]

@@LondonsFinestSon We are a nation of 65m and can deploy a carrier group across the world. That's something to be proud of not ashamed.

[@LondonsFinestSon]

@@davidhouseman4328 Can we alone though? Could we field and support an independent CBG, if we’re being charitable and calling it such a thing, in a serious conflict with a near peer-level adversary? I love this country, but seriously worry how run down HMAF have become. The fleet, in particular, is a shell of what it should be in such uncertain times.

[@davidhouseman4328]

@@LondonsFinestSon Yes, we can independently deploy a CBG (or CSG as we use). But the reality is in a major war, like in QEs recent deployment, we won't be alone. A Russia fight would be in the context of NATO, a China one would be supporting the US.

[@antonystrong2558]

Very well balanced and excellent video

[@MrBond249]

A substantial proportion of the French Army will be the 100,000 Gendarmerie. While they are classed as part of the French army, their actual roll is more of a police force.

[@shoghunuk7428]

I have the upmost respect for the French military having served with them in both Bosnia and Afghanistan. With that out of the way, I would use the term ‘allies’ loosely. France may currently be in NATO but that has always been in a state of flux. Politically, France has tried to scupper NATO in the past and would not hesitate to do it today. They have always been a proponent of an European force, which makes a lot of sense especially as the previous American President highlighted NATO’s biggest weakness - American political will. France and the UK have an understanding and their armed forces may well respect each other and yes, they are allies but the term just sounds so strange to me.

[@davidhouseman4328]

The UK and France are closer than NATO, Lancaster house has more cooperation than average members.

[@GonzoTehGreat]

France & UK both have their own large militaries, so they're relatively independent of each other, but they also regularly train and operate together, which makes them closer than most NATO allies.

[@mathieu722]

We are closer, but we have to put some limits. Never fight too close to the British, you will use us to take the enemy's bullets for you (Dunkirk), and shoot us in the back (Mer el Kebir) while fleeing, taking advantage of this to go full propaganda so that for decades everyone will laugh at our country. Some of us will never forget, especially since even today you can't spend 5 minutes on the internet without being ridiculed or reading hurtful things whenever a subject dares to talk about France and the military.

[@johnjeanb]

Not quite the feeling in France. We are very grateful to Nato and to our allies. Fair to say we would all have been invaded if it was not for America BUT would have the US entered the war without Pearl Habour and without Hitler's stupidity to declare war to America. Yes we are strong allies to the US and to Nato but this does relieve us, European countries to have a decent military that is not a sidekick to US's. In France we believe in Europe's own defence forces not in ANY WAY to be against America (rather to be another adult in the room).. America is our ally, no doubt BUT come a Trump president and Nato won't exist in reality.

[@quentinp45]

It's true that has a French person I don't like the fact that politically my army is kneels down to NATO so to the US : it's true that UK seems to love it. US has made terrible decision in the past, for instance Irak However, even if NATO was braindead as Macron said 2/3 years ago, it has been revitalised more than ever by war in Ukraine. BUT Europe military dependence to US is real problem and weakness : building an Europe military sovereignty it's the key. Last but not least, we may have different interests and so different military policy BUT you're an total idiot to say that we're not unlimited ally : our blood blent in the Somme a century ago.

[@Zen-ix5kh]

Compared to the UK, France can carry nuclear bomb from theirs fighter jets

[@yournotgully]

not important in a world of ICBM's, also the uk created some of the best nuclear capable jets in the world.

[@guillaumel9977]

@@yournotgully UK doesn't even have it's own ICBM's...

[@L_L_______]

🇬🇧❤🇫🇷

[@GreatWhite5]

Size does not matter, quality does and for as long as we are both in NATO we are united and a force to be reckoned with.

[@abuseofmainstreammediacanh5713]

You lost me with your fishy presentation of the Eurofighter masquerading as superior to the Rafale which simply isn't the case ..... while the F35 did not proof a single thing on a battlefield except being outrageously expensive in both purchase and maintenance. ...

[@scottjohnson9300]

The fact is we both need each other, and that's not a bad thing. Old times are gone this is the new modern times

[@DF-ws2xv]

A no nonsense presentation of the stats & facts - no frills, no music, no spin. If only those in government could talk to us in the same manner.

[@MTL24]

To sum it up the French have; a much larger army, larger airforce and larger navy but spend 22.8% less ($70bn - $54). It is a joke how much we spend and how little we get in return. Also as a former member of HMAF I can assure you we have way less than 227 working tanks and less than 4000 working armoured vehicles.

[@davidhouseman4328]

The French Navy has more people in it, given automation this can be as much of a sign of being old than better. The RN is larger by tonnage (by a long way with the RFA) and in key asset, SSNs and Carriers.

[@Retrosicotte]

Larger but usually only due to older, cheaper kit. Much of their air force is made up of ancient Mirages that wouldn't stand a hope against modern jets, remember.

[@jimramsey8887]

Well said Hugh. Absolutely right. We are brainwashed in so many areas it is unbelievable. Many support structures including Pilot Training is a disgrace.

[@jimramsey8887]

Apologies Hugo. I have an eyesight problem.

[@Flash-sy4ul]

because uk buy many american weapon like f-35

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

The experience Britain and France have is simply unmatched, over the past 100 years both have fought in nearly every major war. That alone gives a massive advantage in war, both are capable of building up very fast if needed so comparing the two is pointless. Britain and France have been allies since WW1 and combined are second only to the USA

[@MJPP090909]

Realistically the differences reflect the different state's priorities. France a land power does not focus so much on deployability for all of its forces - some are very capable of deploying and are elite but the majority are not, the UK prioritises deployability across the majority of its forces and pays the price in acquiring and maintaining much more capable logistics than France possesses. You only need to look at France's reliance on British large C17 transport aircraft and Chinook helicopters recently to sustain their presence in Mali to see their deficiency in that area.

[@Keln02]

France has the world's largest EEZ (controlled sea territory), so branding it as a land power is perhaps a bit... mmmh... tricky.

[@user-lp7wo7og4x]

​@@Keln02I'd say it's fair to label France more of a land power. They may have the largest EEZ but would not be able to defend it if it was encroached on without US help

[@MJPP090909]

@@Keln02 As I evidenced in my initial comment, they might aspire to be a global power but they lack to logistics to back it up. They want the big army for the bastille day march and therefore cannot afford the ugly logistics capabilities.

[@MrSpritzmeister]

How does any of what you said have a reflection on “eliteness” of the forces? It’s more like France focuses on significant force deployment in Africa and Middle East whereas the UK is trying to be a mini global force, hence your point about logistics . Both in the end need more resources to be effective in peer conflict, France is better positioned currently to catch up on that front.

[@leandro9311]

Everthing you said is so wrong at so many levels. First of all, the French military specificaly for the Army doctrine is all about air transportability since the end of WW2 as a matter of fact, ther vehicles are almost exclusively wheeled specialy combat vehicles being lighter, in contrast the British Army is mostly tracked with the majority of wheeled vehicles being MRAP´s or utility the Boxer marking a shift in these regard due to a very late modernization effort but thats all. Then, in terms of logistics, both countries use roughly the same number and even type of transport aircraft, the British gain an advantage with 8 C-17´s but again, thats all, France haves more helicopters by a long margin and they are also more modern, longer range and heavier (despite classed as medium) they even have more atack helicopters (im also considering the Army aviation for both nations keep in mind). In terms of Navy, the British have more auxiliary ships and more modern with the French being late but on course to retify these in some degree by 2029, France also haves 3 Mistrals in contrast to 2 British Albion class, the Mistrals are helicopter carriers and the Albions landing platform docks but they actualy do the same and carry roughly the same amount of vehicles and troops, in here the Mistrals gain an advantage for being an helicopter carrier so its more capable of airlifting troops and light vehicles

[@rosbifle413]

I'm English but I live in France. We are brothers. We became so strong fighting each other. Vive la France and long live England.

[@georgegeorgakopoulos5956]

In Forces News We Trust

[@garethevans1657]

Vive la France 🇬🇧

[@alexnisbett4635]

The RN will also receive type 26 frigate and new type 83 destroyer as well as the new tempest fighter, which will all be in service by the time the new French carrier is commissioned

[@henryvagincourt4502]

We will see, the Type 26 yes, the rest, like I said we will see.

[@historyshorts101]

@Jack S Tempest is due 2035. Also, UK is increasing Frigate numbers by 5 with Type 31.

[@oakpope]

@@historyshorts101 "Tempest is due 2035" A military project has never seen delays. Never...

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

@@oakpope It depends on how long they have been working on it, they're not going to tell us the details

[@v.7232]

I do have to comment regarding the military budget. The UK, even though a lot of equipment is from BSA, imports a fair bit of its kit abroad. While France has a lot produced at home. Making the cost a bit less. Especially France its nuclear arm is all native production and france has a nuclear industry which further reduces costs of refueling its submarines etc.

[@craighogg5472]

No mention of the Type 26 frigates that will be in service from 2028 or the type 31 frigates....that's another potential 13 ships. And yet he mentions the Type 32?

[@VeeSeven700]

It's about as I would expect. The French go for slightly more in terms of ground forces. The UK goes slightly more in navy. Geography sorts that out for each country. But overall pretty much the same give or take.

[@sujit_purja_magar]

uk has gurkhas

[@rokuth]

There seems to be less "Money pit" military programs in France as compared to the UK. How much has the MoD spent on the FRES program? How much has the UK spent on both the QE and PoW repairing the various mistakes that have plagued those ships? How much has the UK spent on reworking the Type 42 Destroyers so that they won't overheat in the tropics? How much will they need to spend to build another "Made in the UK because we invented it" MBT? Or is the MoD and the powers in charge thinking that far ahead? I'm sure France has had their own issues with their Armed Forces as well, but the UK has seemed to have had a plethora of military programs that took money and gave nothing in return. I wonder how much of that 70B is being spent to pay off those projects and to cover the cost of correcting mistakes? France is apparently getting more "Bang for the Buck" out of their military budget. IMHO only.

[@uioplkhj]

Less corruption in France and more defense companies. BAE system is a monopoly. All our great defense companies were mothballed into one.

[@maxt7525]

Russia

[@davidhouseman4328]

France has its problems too. CDG had it's own teething issues, a French nuclear sub caught fire not too long back. Its just an issue of the complexity of modern kit and the lack of focus an actual war brings.

[@markcummings6856]

Sure seems that way.

[@RRaymer]

Oh god no. You Anglophiles are so naive if you think there is little corruption in the French military industrial complex. We rank the highest after Turkey and Italy in Corruption in Europe. There is a lot of waste, believe me

[@ludo1060]

Thumbs up for the last conclusion of that video!

[@WhiteGuardChannel]

The french carrier is much newer than the British ones which were designed in the 60's and have been plagued with problems. The Charles de Gaulle is also nuclear powered, being the only carrier to be nuclear powered outside of the US.

[@Skullet]

The UK carriers weren't designed in the 60's, where are you getting that nonsense from? The Charles De Gaulle has spent years in port for repairs and refits. During its 14th sea trial in 2000 one of it's propellers broke and they put the old propellers from Clemenceau on it instead which limited it's performance, and they didn't bother changing them till 2007. That refit in 2007 lasted 15 months, but it was back in for repairs in 2009, then again in 2010 when it's propulsion system failed. Then in 2017 it needed another 18 months in port for repairs and refit. All aircraft carriers will have teething issues, but the Charles De Gaulle has been one of the worst offenders.

[@alexisanto0018]

Longue vie à l'amitié franco -anglaise ! Long live the Franco-English friendship !

[@iDGermain]

Little mistake here of vocubulary : France has 1 "porte-avion", UK none, whereas UK has got 2 "porte-aéronefs", FR don't. English has the same word (aircraft carrier) for 2 things that are pretty different in term of military power. "Porte-aéronefs" or aircraft carriers uses more energy and has a range of action limited compared to "porte-avion" but are cheaper. Just a commentary here, no judgement. S.u

[@fightforaglobalfirstamendm5617]

Unfortunately it’s not even close anymore. It’s a national disgrace, embarrassment and shame!

[@dutch6390]

Très instructif. Merci 🇫🇷 😘 🇬🇧 😉

[@moimamadou6683]

Aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle already has an electromagnetic catapult

[@Noelegamer]

Non c’est une catapulte à vapeur

[@CC-ns2ds]

You forgot Frances 3 Mistral class LHD they are very powerful and advanced. I believe they actually give France an edge over our navy in terms of being able to project power worldwide.

[@davidhouseman4328]

2 Albion + 3 Bay class gives the UK more capacity, though missing the helicopter element.

[@karenwalter-xr4ls]

French should deal with islamic population first before to go on war worldwide. Secure your land first and then you might go elsewhere to cleanup if you like

[@gabrielhenry9835]

@@karenwalter-xr4ls Ok Karen.

[@CC-ns2ds]

@@davidhouseman4328 I know what you are saying but pair the mistrals with the EC tigres and the mistrals advanced well deck as well as it’s purpose built LCACS and it’s multi directional rudder/propeller propulsion plus it’s hospital space. It’s an absolute monster.

[@selimkoksal3053]

who cares about advanced warships at the end of the day submarines, long range torpedoes and mine warfare makes the diffirence in a naval conflict

[@ponz-]

I think it was the uk’s ministry of defense say that the 14 challenger 2 took a big chunk like almost a quarter of you takes so that’s like almost 80 tanks that are combat ready. If that’s true out of the 200 something only roughly 80 are combat ready is this because they’re in storage or do that need parts or what? I’m just wondering because I read an article about this that is if the article is even true because who knows these days

[@davidshepherd8917]

Like France and Germany, a lot of the UK’s tanks are in storage or in need of some repairs. If every tank made was being used then any losses in strength due to combat couldn’t be replenished, therefore most are in storage

[@camilled3752]

Between training, repairs and maintenance, you should expect about a third or a quarter of the total number of MBTs to be combat-ready at any given time. This ratio is normal and expected in every major NATO army. That's why 200 MBTs is the bare minimum for countries like France or the UK, and absolutly not on par with an hypothetical full scale war in Europe, and that's why we can't easily give MBTs to Ukraine as we don't even have enough for ourselves. That's why giving 14 Challenger 2 to Ukraine is both ridiculously low in Ukraine's point of view and a big commitment in UK's pov.

[@ZaediusRA1000]

Fantastic conclusion, we are allies. Respect, from a Frenchman.

[@riztup1841]

If you have 2 carriers, we have 4. Because we have amphibious ships with helicopters.

[@Noelegamer]

ils en ont 8 alors ils ont 6 porte hélicoptère mais pas les hélicos pour les équiper mdr

[@keighlancoe5933]

There's no sugar coating it. Our army is tiny. It's a very shiny display in a shop window, but the problem is half the shop is empty. The world is entering extremely tense waters and the decades ahead without doubt will be volatile. It is a matter of national security we get our act together.

[@Luke_Sandy_High_Ground]

The UK has always had a small army. The Royal Navy is what gave the UK a massive punch.

[@tonyz7216]

Same here in France with maybe just slightly more flesh on the bones.

[@Liam-2345]

@@Luke_Sandy_High_GroundWe know. 😂

[@peterward4005]

Harry Hill "only one way to find out!"

[@axelvarraut4082]

You forgot an essential component of the French Navy, a component that the Royal Navy does not seem to me to have, I am talking about the 3 PHA (amphibious helicopter carrier)

[@arnaudlauzier2334]

not mentionning the 3 aircraft carrier for elicoptere of france is weird

[@mikelovesbacon]

So is not mentioning the amphibious assault ships and landing craft the UK has

[@arnaudlauzier2334]

@@mikelovesbacon the UK have 0 aircraft carrier for helicopter! They just dont have this kind of ship since they drop the HMS OCEAN! So if you only consider aircraft carrier the uk has 2 and french 1! But if you consider all type of aircraft carrier, the UK still has 2 but the french have 4!

[@lyam276]

france and poland are learning from history

[@erwannthietart3602]

Yesnt, France didnt "learn" it always WAS a military great power, with the sole exception in its over a thousand years of history being post 1940-44, what it did is actually and only partially renewing (because lets be real 2nd and arguably 1st strongest in the world in military might is now impossible for a European Country unless europe unite) with its usual legacy While Poland learned from history that you can never be too prepared when your neighboring empires are getting agressive, and they adapted far more quickly and in a far better manner than France, (which tbf was understandable since Macron plays around numbers rather than feelings "better safe than sorry" only exists if the economy is touched, doesnt make him anything less of a jerk)

[@niklace]

I don't know much about military things but I always find surprising we don't mutualize more military assets to become more complementary than competitors (in terms of military industry). For example wouldn't it be beneficial to have 1 or 2 aircraft companies inside NATO instead of having so many ?

[@archvaldor]

Is any one else just sick of the trashing of the French that goes in the UK media? France is a fantastic country with wonderful people.

[@idar1449]

Small details: the French army has Exocet anti-ship missile (one of them can sink a destroyer) and self-propeled artilery canon CAESAR (6 shoot/minute, very fast to moove before and after shooting). Glad to be allied with England.

[@itano07]

C'est pas très malin de parler de Exocet. Mais tu dois être jeune c'est pour ça, regarde la guerre des Malouines.

[@idar1449]

@@itano07 Je suis au courant pour les Malouines. Mais je parle de fait: ce sont des équipements encore en possession de l'armée Française. Les argentins en ont certes fait usage contre les Britanniques (ce que je désaprouve) mais ce n'est pas pour cela qu'on ne peut pas en parler.

[@mosthaunted2]

We spend the 2nd largest amount in the World on defence, but no matter what we spend we still fall short of everything, How does that even happen.

[@Matthewer90]

2nd largest in nato, 4th in the world. But I agree - money looks to be wasted and procurement is lacking 👍

[@alvanrigby6361]

Accounting? Does defence budget include pensions ?

[@mosthaunted2]

@@Matthewer90 Sorry, yes second in Nato.

[@mosthaunted2]

@@alvanrigby6361 Took from the pensions to pay for it, Retirement age will be 75 at this rate.

[@Clickathon]

Black budget. It's so obvious. Oh and they are stealing your tax money too.

[@pepito7903]

Unfortunately, there is no number relative to artillereries pieces. I was really curious to know how much the both of us combined have regarding the importance it have in Ukraine war. But It was really interesting.

[@Cosmic_Radiation68]

We can be friends with everyone if they wanna stop saying that our military is made from baguettes.

[@misterioness4028]

🇫🇷🤝🇬🇧

[@thetruthhurts7675]

The total spend on procurement, and research is NOT Covered by the UK military budget. They run as seperate budgets and in total the amount spent on the military last year was £117 Billion making the Uk the forth largest spender on defence. Only the USA, China, and India spend more. We currently spend 5.9% of GDP on defence expenditure, which is £71.4Billion. Defence is the fith largest part of government spending.

[@paxundpeace9970]

What a waste

[@jimramsey8887]

Spending is important but the waste is even more critical. I could give you a long list over the years.

[@historyshorts101]

"£117 Billion" If it was £117bn, it is way ahead of India who are $78bn.

[@quentinp45]

no western country spends 5.9 of GDP in defence bro

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

@@quentinp45 I think you should probably read what he said before commenting

[@AdaL0906]

Anyway, From the First World War, England and France must be taken as a single powerful military. And we have to remember that France and United-Kingdom could have been merged. So, I am pretty proud about our powerful military, and I think, we still need to improve and be comparable with Russia or USA.

[@earlcedrickybobadili3050]

France no doubt but the Brits had the advantage the unparalleled INTELLIGENCE POWER which is the most crucial

[@rp9408]

very true

[@earlcedrickybobadili3050]

Thanks for the reply ☺️☺️😃😃 (from the Philippines 🇵🇭 by the way)

[@JUNIOR-ey3xu]

😂 and of course we’re allies 🇬🇧🇫🇷.

[@apreslavague1557]

We must stay allies for ever guys, let’s protect us; we’re neighbours 😊

[@henryvagincourt4502]

Warrior IFV 1960s? I don't thinks so mucker, 1970s maybe with production starting in 1984.

[@UpsilonDelta]

🇫🇷🇬🇧 🤝❤ vive notre alliance

[@Youtubechannel-po8cz]

It hardly matters which one is slightly stronger. Britain and France should be United in their defensive objectives as we share a similar past and our people have the same values. We should be a rock solid partnership.

[@rb026]

The pb is that the UK is slowly becoming an US puppet (which sucks) so France won't be keen to have the same military policies like for the nuclear for instance. The brits should be less relying on the US they can do it

[@gregft1979]

Good Conclusion. Very similar armies and in the end we're working in partnership.

[@KOPITE8989]

The fact is we need each other

[@tomflynn8651]

UK should focus on RN and RAF almost exclusively