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During the post-cold war years, the French Defense circles progressively accepted the reform of the British armed forces as a reference. When the French president announced on February 22 1996 the beginning of the professionalization of the French armed forces, the partnership with the UK was offering a model within the range of French efforts. Several years later,Jacques Chirac declared during his traditional message to the nation on July 14th: “For some time, we have been lagging behind the British armed forces [...]. This situation heavily hampers our political influence” (Jacques Isnard, “The French Defense and the English model”, Le Monde,July 17 2002). At the risk of hurting national touchiness, the President therefore sets the objective of putting the French army at the same level as H.M. armed forces. Rooted in strong traditions and anciently professio-nalized, the contemporary British army isbased on the projection of force and power. Involved in NATO structures and taking part in Europe’s defense system, this military system is in keeping with the frames of Euro-Atlantic geopolitics.