French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday pledged an additional €6.5 billion ($7.6 billion) in military spending over the next two years, citing growing and unprecedented threats ranging from Russia and nuclear proliferation to terrorism and cyberattacks.
In a wide-ranging speech delivered on the eve of France’s Bastille Day celebrations, Macron called for a stronger European defense posture and reaffirmed support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He said France aims to increase annual defense spending to €64 billion ($74.8 billion) by 2027 — the final year of his second term — up from €32 billion when he first took office in 2017.
“Since 1945, freedom has never been so seriously threatened,” Macron said in his traditional address to the armed forces. “We are witnessing the return of the nuclear threat and the spread of large-scale conflicts.”
“To be free in this world, we must be feared. To be feared, we must be powerful,” he added.
Despite ongoing efforts to reduce national debt, Macron argued that France could afford the increased defense expenditure. His call for bolstered military investment has received backing from conservative and far-right parties, while left-wing opposition groups have criticized the move, accusing the government of prioritizing military growth over essential social services.
He warned that Europe is facing serious threats not only from Russia’s war in Ukraine and ongoing instability in the Middle East, but also from shifting U.S. policies. “The United States has introduced a form of uncertainty,” he noted.
Macron also cited foreign-led disinformation campaigns — including propaganda targeting children in the digital age — as part of the evolving threat landscape.
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As part of his strategic vision, Macron ordered top French military and defense officials to begin talks with European partners on the role France’s nuclear arsenal could play in safeguarding Europe. In a rare development, France and the United Kingdom recently agreed to deepen cooperation on nuclear defense matters.
Macron’s speech comes ahead of a key announcement expected from U.S. President Donald Trump on Russia, and as NATO’s secretary-general heads to Washington for two days of talks. Last week, Trump unveiled plans to sell advanced weaponry to NATO allies for transfer to Ukraine, which continues to face relentless Russian air assaults.
Macron recently spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in three years, though he remains heavily criticized in Moscow for his strong support of Ukraine. The Kremlin has repeatedly claimed that the conflict in Ukraine is a direct result of Western nations ignoring Russian security concerns.
General Thierry Burkhard, head of the French military, highlighted Russia’s aggressive actions that go beyond Ukraine, including satellite interference, sabotage of undersea infrastructure, and disinformation campaigns in both France and Africa. He also reported frequent interactions between Russian aircraft and other military planes over the Black Sea, Syria, the Mediterranean, and the North Atlantic, as well as Russian submarine activity in sensitive regions.
Meanwhile, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu, speaking in an interview with La Tribune Dimanche, stressed the importance of investing in defense technology and enhancing training for engineers and technicians.
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“Major powers and proliferating nations are secretly working on quantum computing technologies that could transform the battlefield,” Lecornu warned. “Do we want to remain competitive?”
Source: Agency