# 9 4 - C O M M E N

France considers that the EU defence industrial toolbox must be built in complementarity between the various stakeholders, i.e., the European Commission, the European Defence Agency, the Member States, as well as with the EDTIB. [...] For example, even in the early 90s, prior to the Rafale entering service, one of the major issues within the French strategic community was whether or not to modernise the American Crusader aircraft purchased in the mid-60s, which were deployed on the two French aircraft carriers. [...] Therefore, France decided to support the Juncker Commission and the philosophy underlying 5 European Commission, Towards a more competitive and efficient defence and security sector, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, July 24th 2013 4 the November 2016 European Defence Action Plan,. [...] France endorsed the creation of the European Defence Fund (EDF) as it showed that the European Union could finally finance defence actions, strengthen the EDTIB, and foster collaboration among European defence companies and European states in the armament programme. [...] This is the case, for example, with the Future Medium Tactical Cargo (FMTC) project, for which the air forces of the countries involved in the project have already found an agreement on the military specifications.