France supports the bolstering of NATO’s eastern flank

France announced it would deploy additional forces to strengthen NATO's defence posture in Eastern Europe

Daniela Budu, 12.10.2022, 13:50

In the coming weeks, France will deploy further troops and
equipment to Romania to bolster NATO’s eastern flank, in the context of Russia’s
massive strikes recently on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure, the
French defence minister, Sébastien Lecornu told a Senate panel.

According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in Paris,
he spoke about deploying a company, usually comprising 100 to 250 troops, to
Romania. France leads the NATO battle group in Romania, which currently
includes 350 French troops, in addition to Belgian and Dutch ones.

The decision to increase these forces was made by the
president of France, Emmanuel Macron, at the suggestion of the chief of staff
of the French Army. In fact, Macron had emphasised his country’s support for
strengthening NATO’s eastern flank as far back as in June, during an official
visit to Bucharest, when he also pledged additional assistance to Romania. You
have our support should your country come under threat, Emmanuel Macron said
at the time.

Sébastian Lecornu explained now what this support
would actually consist of:

Sébastian Lecornu: The president of the Republic
decided to raise our defensive posture on the eastern flank of Europe, by
deploying a reinforced company of armoured infantry fighting vehicles and a
squadron of Leclerc tanks to Romania. So as part of our defence, deterrence and
protection mission on the eastern flank, we continue to support those countries
to which we owe solidarity, and particularly Romania, a friendly nation. We
have also continued to boost our presence in Lithuania, where Rafale aircraft
will be deployed, and a light infantry company will also be deployed to Estonia.

The Romanian president Klaus Iohannis welcomed
president Emmanuel Macron’s decision to strengthen the French military presence
in Romania. As Iohannis posted on a social network, this is An important
gesture for NATO’s Eastern Flank, a sign of Allied solidarity.

In February, France and Belgium announced they would
deploy military units to Romania to set up a tactical NATO group.The chief of staff of the French Armed Forces said at
the time that as part of the rapid response force, France will send to Romania
as many as 500 troops with armoured vehicles and combat equipment. And in March,
president Klaus Iohannis said, NATO has approved the battle group to be
stationed in Romania.

Given Russia’s recent threats and attacks, the NATO secretary
general Jens Stoltenberg announced that the Allies would enhance security
around key institutions and would take additional measures to increase
resilience and protect critical infrastructure. A deliberate attack against
allies’ critical infrastructure will be met with a united and determined
response, the NATO chief has warned. (A.M.P.)