By Emma Jane Kirby
BBC News, Paris
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 Czechoslovakia's beginnings in France remembered ...
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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; Ј1.5bn) 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.
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; Ј16.54m) 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.
(BBC)
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