David Cameron: Military pact with France is just the start

The Prime Minister said the unprecedented agreement in two new treaties was just a start. But he faced a backlash from senior Tory MPs with at least one warning of the dangers of trusting the French in military conflicts. Some MPs are also concerned that it could damage the special relationship with America.

However, the Prime Minister insisted that a new Anglo-French rapid reaction force, sharing aircraft carriers when appropriate and joint work on nuclear weapons, would boost the sovereign military power of both nations. "We can expand our sovereign capability even at a time when resources are tight," he said in central London. Defending the new alliance as "practical, hard-headed co-operation", Mr Cameron added: "This is the start of something new, not an end in itself."

He said Britain would always retain its independent nuclear deterrent but defended the joint work on testing nuclear warheads, which could save hundreds of millions of pounds.

Another possibility is that the 10,000-strong rapid reaction force, which could include the SAS, might be commanded by a French officer.

Mr Sarkozy trumpeted the plans for a "truly integrated" aircraft carrier group. He also stressed that elements of the two armed forces could work together.

But he stopped short of pledging that France would agree to send its aircraft carrier to defend the Falklands if the British carrier was having a refit. Senior Tories MPs are strongly against relying heavily on France to defend British interests. "There is a long record of duplicity on the French part when it comes to dealing with allies," said Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin.

James Arbuthnot, chairman of the Commons defence committee, said the British public would be alarmed at the UK only having one aircraft carrier which would be in refit for a third of the time.

"If our aircraft carrier were in refit and we had to rely on the French aircraft carrier, or vice versa, I think there would be a concern among our populations that we were relying too much on another country that might have different interests."

But, overall, he believed that the treaties were "win, win" for both Britain and France.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox accused critics of failing to face up to the economic realities driving the new level of co-operation.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Why are the two countries building military ties? To maximise their military power in a time of financial crisis.

When and where will the joint rapid reaction force deploy? From next year. It could be sent to rescue British and French civilians or on other military missions, including warfare.

Could the French refuse to send their aircraft carrier to defend the Falklands? Yes. Each nation will retain control of its military assets.

Could the SAS be commanded by a French general? Yes. British special forces could be in the rapid reaction force which would be commanded by either a French or British officer.

Is the pact a sell-out or sensible? Military chiefs argue it is better to rely on the French than to have gaps in military capability. Others warn against over-reliance on another country and that France could refuse to take part in missions.

Will we be sharing nuclear weapons? No. The deal is over safety tests on warheads but more co-operation could follow.

Are the Americans annoyed at the Anglo-French move? Washington wants a greater military force from European countries and for France to be firmly signed up to Nato. But the United States will not want the special relationship to be damaged.