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Nations to deploy troops under a single command, collaborate on nukes.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, talks to British Prime Minister David Cameron, center, as they walk into Lancaster House in London on Tuesday for a summit on a defense and security cooperation treaty between their two countries.
AP PHOTO
LONDON — What would Napoleon or Lord Nelson make of this?
Britain and France struck a historic defense deal Tuesday aimed at preserving military muscle in an age of austerity, pledging to deploy troops under a single command, share aircraft carriers and collaborate on once fiercely guarded nuclear programs.
The often skeptical neighbors insist an era of unprecedented cooperation is a pragmatic fit for two cash-strapped allies, though many question if the storied enemies of the battles of Agincourt and Waterloo can truly overcome centuries of mutual suspicion.
After talks in London, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Europe’s only nuclear-armed powers had set out plans to work closely for the next 50 years — forming a joint rapid reaction force, sharing warhead testing facilities and tackling together the threats from cyber warfare and the militarization of space.
Cameron told his Cabinet the deal would save hundreds of millions of pounds as Britain seeks to clear its national debts, while Sarkozy said believed the pact will help protect all of Europe.
“This is a decision which is unprecedented and it shows a level of trust and confidence between our two nations that is unequaled in history,” Sarkozy told reporters, following a summit of key ministers from both countries.
Under the deal, Britain and France will form a joint expeditionary force — a pool of at least 5,000 troops, including special forces, able to deploy under a commander from either nation.
They will in the future share their two aircraft carriers, when Britain’s new vessel comes into service in about a decade. Fighter jets will be able to land on carriers from either country, providing cover when one nation has its carrier in dock for maintenance.