After Mers-el-Kebir, Vichy France has deep reasons to distrust Britain, yet fighting alongside Germany would also conflict with French interests and loyalties. The surviving fleet therefore remains an important factor in both British and German planning even while France is no longer an active Allied participant. French crews are already learning from the surrounding war by fitting radar and improving anti-aircraft armament. Rotating ships toward Algerian ports would make them more survivable, harder for Germany to seize, and more valuable as bargaining power with both sides.
Chapter · 3:36-6:31
The Vichy French fleet as armed bargaining power
France's surviving fleet is treated as a wary observer that should improve radar and anti-aircraft defenses while keeping ships beyond easy German reach.