I am not sure about the French, but Britain has finally succumbed to the mass disarmament mania in Europe. When the next round of budget cuts are completed their army will be about the size of the New York City Police Department.
Britain has resigned as a world power.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3292373/posts
The French sent their forces to Mali, so they’re still capable of kicking ass. The British sent their forces recently in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The British could always recall their veterans and have them return to duty in a national emergency.