Overview

• General Hubert Bonneau, head of the French gendarmerie, cautions about the possibility of armed conflict and threats to national security in light of global geopolitical developments.
• Bonneau's internal letter references the Russian invasion of Ukraine and evolving U.S. policies impacting NATO as factors necessitating increased European defense efforts.
• He underscores the importance of the gendarmerie's role in territorial defense (DOT) and coordination with the French military to address potential threats.
• The letter also discusses priorities like combating organized crime and narcotrafficking, including the establishment of a new National Judicial Police Unit led by General Sylvain Noyau.
• Some gendarmerie officials have expressed skepticism about the focus on defense readiness, citing budgetary concerns and the need to address immediate operational challenges.