The many assets of the French naval industry, ready to participate in the defense of the Arctic

The situation is changing in the Arctic. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine “has accelerated militarization and strategic competition while the United States now views the region, both from an economic angle and that of power rivalry,” explains the document published in 2025 by the Ministry of the Armed Forces to present France’s new Arctic defense strategy.

Its objective: to restore “the French ambition to be a major player in these territories” by strengthening its means of knowledge and intervention. NATO, of which France is a member, and which has seven Arctic states within it, has also decided to flex its muscles, in February 2026, with the Arctic Sentry initiative. In June, the Alliance established multinational “forward ground forces” in Finland. The allies are increasing the number of exercises.

Although not bordering the Arctic, France has interests and duties there. In May 2026, Paris signed a bilateral defense agreement with Norway. And strengthened its military cooperation with Denmark and Sweden. France is one of 12 countries which announced, at the beginning of July, a strengthening of their cooperation for maritime security in the Arctic, the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic.

On the economic level, the melting of seasonal ice opens up new prospects for shipowners for trade between Europe and Asia. But also the exploitation of natural resources which abound…