Στρατιωτικοί ηγέτες τιμούν την αμυντική εταιρική σχέση Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου-Γαλλίας σε επίσημες επισκέψεις

High-ranking military officials from the UK and France convened in London to acknowledge the significance of their military partnership, attending ceremonial events such as the Trooping of the Colour for the King’s birthday.

The UK Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, warmly welcomed his French counterpart, Chef d’État-Major des Armées (CEMA) General Thierry Burkhard, for visits to observe the Trooping of the Colour in London and to the Navy Ceremonial Divisions at HMS Collingwood.

The UK and France maintain an exceptionally close defence alliance defined by the Lancaster House Treaty, collaborating on NATO commitments in Eastern Europe, ongoing military assistance for Ukraine, and historically conducting joint operations across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Indo-Pacific. In a joint statement from the UK-France summit in March, a comprehensive set of priorities was established to enhance security and stability in Europe while also strengthening economic ties, aligning with the UK Prime Minister’s focus on economic growth.

Admiral Radakin and General Burkhard signed a joint letter of intent at Admiralty House prior to the Trooping of the Colour on Saturday, outlining plans to advance the outcomes discussed at the UK-France summit. They urged swift progress on key priorities, particularly on deepening the integration of UK and French forces over the next decade, adapting the UK-France Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF), and fostering collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.

Subsequently, the meeting included an audience with the Prime Minister at Downing Street, followed by the Trooping of the Colour and a lunch at Lancaster House, which involved the chiefs’ extended network.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, remarked:

“The inaugural Trooping the Colour of the new King’s Reign is a momentous occasion, and I am honored to host not only my French counterpart, General Thierry Burkhard, but also his distinguished military chiefs and our exchange officers. Having our senior officers united today is profoundly symbolic and underscores the resilience and depth of the UK-France military relationship, which is vital to the security of Europe and the world.

“Both Britain and France have a global perspective reflecting our duties as permanent members of the UN Security Council and as G7 economies, as well as our shared democratic and humanitarian values. At the recent Paris Summit, Prime Minister Sunak and President Macron reaffirmed our commitment to closer defence collaboration.

This will enhance our joint presence on NATO’s eastern flank, our collaborative support for Ukraine, and our extensive history of joint operations in Africa and the Middle East. In the future, we will coordinate our efforts in the Indo-Pacific and explore new technological initiatives to ensure that Britain and France remain Europe’s strongest and most capable defence partners.”

During the visit, CDS was accompanied by his Vice Chief of Defence Staff, The First Sea Lord, The Chief of the Air Staff, a representative of the Chief of General Staff, and the UK’s Military representative to NATO.

The delegation included over 100 members from the extensive military exchange and liaison network of both nations, representing soldiers, airmen, sailors, and civil servants.

The Trooping of the Colour has celebrated the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years. The year 2023 will mark His Majesty King Charles III’s first Trooping of the Colour as Sovereign, featuring over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians showcasing military precision, horsemanship, and fanfare as part of the celebration.

Chef d’État-Major des Armées, General Thierry Burkhard, commented:

“It is an immense honor to participate in such a historic event, and I extend my thanks to my counterpart for his kind invitation. This ceremony provides the French chiefs of staff delegation an opportunity to witness the dedication of British soldiers to the King and their nation. The level of commitment is impressive and serves as a profound inspiration for any nation to see its members prepared to sacrifice their lives for the greater good.

“Admiral Radakin also facilitated a gathering of all French and British liaison and exchange officers serving on either side of the Channel. This highly significant moment undoubtedly strengthens our bilateral relationship, which is increasingly important as we aim to enhance our interoperability in the face of evolving warfare.

“Among the French Armed Forces, the capabilities of the British Armed Forces are well recognized. We continue to draw inspiration from the commitment of our veterans during the Second World War. Our soldiers, sailors, and airmen have been training and operating together continuously for many years. For instance, in Estonia, a French company is integrated within a British battalion. The experience of living and training together in challenging conditions fosters bonds that are crucial in combat. Simultaneously, our staff members work diligently to share assessments, explore new technologies, and develop procedures to enhance our joint operational effectiveness.”

Besides the Trooping of the Colour, the two chiefs participated in ceremonial divisions at HMS Collingwood on Friday, where CEMA served as the guest of honor and delivered a speech. This event is the largest Royal Navy ceremonial parade outside of state-level occasions, featuring around 900 personnel on parade.

The chiefs observed the salute from officers and ratings on parade, presenting awards and accolades to individuals for academic excellence and exemplary service.

CEMA’s visit is part of a series of cooperative activities between the UK and France this year, following a joint summit in Paris attended by the Prime Minister, Defence Secretary, and other Ministers in March, as well as the Defence Secretary’s recent visit to Normandy where he delivered remarks focused on European security and the ongoing necessity to support Ukraine. Furthermore, Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, is set to visit Paris on Monday to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and French Minister for the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu.