British military could work more closely with France: report

(LONDON) - Britain could develop closer military links with France as it faces budget pressures following the world financial crisis, an official blueprint on the future of the armed forces said Wednesday.

The discussion paper, which looks ahead to a forthcoming government defence review, also warned of tough choices looming on how the military looks and what kinds of conflicts it fights.

"In Europe, the return of France to NATO's integrated military structures offers an opportunity for even greater co-operation with a key partner across a range of defence activity," the discussion paper said.

Unveiling it in the House of Commons, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth pledged that while "not a penny will be cut" from next year's defence budget, there would be "real pressures" ahead in future.

"Our commitment to reduce the deficit resulting from the global financial crisis means future resources across government will be constrained," he added.

The possibility of working more closely with France is likely to raise eyebrows in Britain.

Although it possesses Europe's second-biggest army after Britain, France only rejoined NATO's military command last year after a four-decade hiatus.

Historically, Britain and France were military rivals but fought on the same side in World Wars I and II and signed a milestone pact to increase military co-operation in 1998.

However, then prime minister Tony Blair and president Jacques Chirac later fell out when Britain supported the US-led 2003 Iraq war and France did not.

Ainsworth stressed that any shifts would not privilege relations with Europe over the United States. "It's not about Europe taking precedence over the US, or vice-versa," he said.

The blueprint sets out the terms on which Britain will conduct a major defence review which will take place after a forthcoming general election expected in May.

The review will be the first assessment of its kind for more than a decade and will come against a backdrop of around 10,000 British troops helping to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Wednesday's green paper was published as top military think-tank the International Institute for Strategic Studies warned European countries were feeling the pinch on military spending due to the downturn, while Asian countries like China and India surge ahead amid a stronger recovery.