The move is part of the president’s efforts to rebuild the military and champion European defence.

France’s defence spending will total EUR63.4 billion in 2027, up from this year’s EUR50.5 billion.  

“To be free in this world, one must be feared. To be feared, one must be powerful. For this, the nation must be stronger”, France’s President Emmanuel Macron stated on 13 July during his annual address to the armed forces while outlining defence spending plans.

Between 2025 and 2027, spending will increase from EUR50.5 billion to EUR63.4 billion respectively, representing an increase of EUR12.9 billion, as indicated by Macron on X.

This increase means that by 2027 France's military budget will be double what it was a decade ago, Macron claimed, adding that this also comes three years earlier than originally planned. In 2017, the budget stood at EUR32 billion. 

France’s multi-year defence investments plan, known as the Military Planning Law 2024-2030, will also be updated and presented in the autumn.

Prime Minister François Bayrou is set to announce how the budget will be financed on 15 July, although Macron emphasised that it will be funded without incurring additional debt, instead relying on “increased activity and increased production”.

Macron concluded by reiterating the importance of France’s nuclear deterrent, directing the minister of the armed forces and chief of the armed forces to engage with other European countries regarding this. Announcements relating to these developments will be announced at the end of the year.  

Bolstering Europe’s defence sovereignty

Macron has been a key advocate for bolstering Europe’s defence sovereignty, championing in particular the ‘buy European’ initiative for military equipment.

A similar rhetoric is being pushed in the UK to ensure a sovereign, secure supply chain. Both leaders recently met in the UK where they agreed to deepen nuclear cooperation, and work more closely on nuclear deterrence.

DSEI Gateway News is part of DSEI UK and the broader Clarion Defence portfolio. 
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