French President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed yesterday to create a smaller, more mobile and better-equipped army able to respond to modern day threats ranging from terrorism to computer attacks.

Launching a new defense policy, Sarkozy said the military needed to direct more resources to help soldiers in the field and put new emphasis on security within France's borders.

France is expected to cut more than 50,000 military posts, affecting the army, navy and air force. When the restructuring is complete, the military should have 225,000 personnel.