France reveals defence closures

By Emma Jane Kirby
BBC News, Paris

Many small towns worry that they will lose valuable military income

France is to close 83 of its military units in a major shake-up of its defence strategy, the French prime minister has said.

Speaking at a press conference, Francois Fillon said money saved would be poured back into the armed forces.

He also promised the government would help towns and villages cope with the economic fall-out when the local garrison moved on.

The changes are the biggest shake-up of defence policy in 14 years.

Mr Fillon announced that the military sites which face closure include regiments, logistic centres and air force bases.

Interior focus

He added that the modernisation plan would generate savings of more than $3bn (1.9bn euros; £1.5bn) a year, which would be re-invested back into the armed forces.

Last month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it was time to refocus France's defence priorities on interior rather than exterior security, warning the biggest threat to the country was now a terrorist attack.

DEFENCE PLANS 54,000 jobs to be cut from 320,000-strong workforce 50 military bases and facilities to be closed From 2009 to 2020, 377bn euros to be spent on defence Will cuts make France fighting fit? Military towns' fears

In the east of France, at least six bases will close prompting huge fears among residents of economic hardship. The town of Luneville is particularly concerned.

Its local mayor has already visited the defence minister several times recently to protest against plans to move their military base which employs more than 950 civilian and military personnel.

The loss of military salaries there alone has been estimated at around 21m euros ($32m; £16.54m) a year and at least 30 local businesses are likely to be affected.

The French prime minister promised the government would initiate a series of measures to help towns and villages, like Luneville, cope with the economic shock.

But, he warned, the reforms were necessary to protect the security of the French people.