On Friday, French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin visited Luxembourg, where she was received by Defence Minister Yuriko Backes at Senningen Castle. The two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding committing both countries to strengthening their ties in the field of defence and deepening industrial cooperation in the sector.
Discussions centred on security in the context of two ongoing conflicts: the war in Iran and Russia’s war against Ukraine, now entering its fifth year. Backes praised France’s role in working towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, particularly through the Coalition of the Willing.
Vautrin recalled that France and Luxembourg were among NATO’s founding members in 1949 and that, 77 years on, the two countries continue to share the same vision of a strategically autonomous Europe. While defence remains a matter of national sovereignty, she stressed that coordination and cooperation are key, with interoperability being of particular importance. In her words, it is precisely through the ability to act in concert that both countries can move forward together and, at the same time, strengthen the European pillar of NATO.
Backes acknowledged that Luxembourg’s defence industry does not operate on the same scale as France’s, but was clear that the Grand Duchy must not shy away from its responsibilities. She pointed to the strong growth the sector has seen in recent years, noting that a mapping exercise carried out by Luxinnovation has identified more than 100 Luxembourg companies currently active in defence. The aim would be to integrate these companies into the major European and international value chains.
The memorandum identified four priority areas for deeper cooperation, spanning satellites, cyber capabilities and terrestrial defence assets. Backes underlined the significance of the partnership. Luxembourg, she said, can only protect its territory, freedom and sovereignty through close cooperation with allies and partners who share the same values, describing France as a strategic partner for Luxembourg’s defence.
