Alice Rufo Reaffirms Defence Commitments During Haute-Saône Visit
FOUGEROLLES-SAINT-VALBERT, 21 February 2026 – Alice Rufo, the Minister Delegate to the Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans, conducted a high-profile visit to the Haute-Saône department on Friday to address matters of historical remembrance and modern strategic deterrence.
Commemorating Resistance in Fougerolles
The Minister Delegate began her visit on Friday 20 February 2026 at the Écomusée du Pays de la Cerise. She officially inaugurated the exhibition “Résister à l’oubli : Fougerolles 39-45” (Resisting Oblivion: Fougerolles 39-45), which documents local life and resistance efforts during the Second World War. During the ceremony, Rufo emphasised the emotional weight of the archives, noting that the “emotions are still present” within the community’s collective memory.
The visit was not without local political friction; reports indicated that a local municipal candidate declined to attend the event, following a series of visits to the region by other government officials earlier this month, including Françoise Gatel and Philippe Tabarot.
Strategic Oversight at BA 116
Following the commemorative events, Rufo transitioned to modern defence priorities with a visit to the Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur Air Base (BA 116). This visit comes nearly one year after President Emmanuel Macron’s appearance at the site on 18 March 2025. The Minister Delegate used the platform to reaffirm the executive branch’s continued support for the base, which remains a cornerstone of French aerial deterrence and regional security.
Addressing recent industrial concerns, Rufo spoke on the Future Combat Air System (SCAF/FCAS). During a media appearance on Thursday 19 February, she stated she “does not confirm at all” any rumours regarding the mothballing of the European fighter jet project, despite ongoing discussions regarding alternative strategic partnerships at recent international forums like the Munich Security Conference.
Key Career Milestones: Alice Rufo
| Period / Date | Role / Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Commenced professional career at the Presidency of the Republic. |
| 2019 – 2022 | Deputy Diplomatic Adviser to the President (Strategic and Disarmament Affairs). |
| 2022 – 2024 | Director General for Foreign Relations and Strategy (DGRIS) at the Ministry of the Armed Forces. |
| February 2026 | Minister Delegate to the Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of Alice Rufo’s visit to Haute-Saône?
The visit served a dual purpose: inaugurating a Second World War resistance exhibition in Fougerolles-Saint-Valbert and inspecting the BA 116 airbase in Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur to reaffirm its strategic importance to French national defence.
What is the current status of the SCAF (FCAS) project?
Minister Delegate Alice Rufo has explicitly denied reports that the Future Combat Air System (SCAF) project is being halted or put on hold, maintaining that the European combat aircraft remains a priority for the French administration.
What is Alice Rufo’s professional background?
Before her ministerial appointment, Alice Rufo held senior diplomatic and strategic roles, including serving as a top adviser to the President on disarmament and as the Director General for Foreign Relations and Strategy at the Ministry of the Armed Forces.