France: The French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron has announced that the country will increase its military spending by more than one-third in the coming years while unveiling plans to transform the French army to deal with the great “perils” of the 21st century.

“The next seven-year budget would increase to $449 billion (€413 billion) from 2024 to 2030, up from $320 billion (€295 billion),” Mr. Macron stated.

“As war is changing, France has and will have armies ready for the perils of the century. We need to be one war ahead.” Mr. Macron, added while speaking at the Mont-de-Marsan airbase in southwestern France.

President Mr. Macron acknowledged that there were no more post-Cold War “peace dividends” since Russia had invaded Ukraine and that the aim was to renew a military that protected France’s freedom, security, prosperity, and place in the world.

“The spending spree is needed to ensure our freedom, our security, our prosperity, and our place in the world,” the President remarked.

According to reports, France will invest massively in drones and military intelligence, areas where French officials have stated that recent conflicts exposed gaps, and the military should pivot towards a strategy of high-intensity conflict.

Recently, France has raised its military aid for Ukraine, aiming to send AMX-10 RC “light combat tanks,” but its supply of weapons to Kyiv is lagging behind other European allies.

President Macron said France would have to rethink its alliances while remaining a leader in Europe and a reliable NATO ally and strengthening its relationships with Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain.

The Russian war has changed defence policies across Europe, with Sweden and Finland announcing an immediate rise in their military budgets as part of their bid to join NATO. Members of the Western Military Alliance have agreed to spend at least 2 percent of economic output on defence starting in 2024.

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