Nicolas Sarkozy, when he ran for presidency of the French Republic, had promised to elaborate a new White paper on national security and defence, as things had considerably changed since the previous White paper had been adopted in 1994. This 2008 White paper relies on a new « national security strategy » concept and sets the new strategic priorities that define the armies’ new format, but will also have to take into account the legitimate concern for economy in public spending. This White paper’s suggestions will become concrete after the Parliament’s vote for the new law about military programming in 2009.