Macron plans to further increase France's defense budget in the next two years

French President Emmanuel Macron said that the threat to European freedom is greater than at any time since the end of World War II, and France will accelerate the increase of its defense budget in the next two years.

AFP reported that Macron addressed the French armed forces on Sunday (July 13), the Day before Bastille Day (National Day). He indicated that Europe is in danger due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the uncertainty of US support.

Macron emphasized, "The peace of our continent has never been so dependent on the decisions we make now," and France faces the challenge of "maintaining freedom and taking control of its own destiny."

He pointed out that France's defense budget should be increased by 3.5 billion euros in 2026 and another 3 billion euros in 2027.

Radio France Internationale reported that from 2017 to 2025, France's defense budget has increased from 32.2 billion euros to 55.5 billion euros. After Macron announced the above-mentioned additional plan, during his two presidential terms, the French defense budget is expected to nearly double in 10 years, reaching nearly 64 billion euros.

Macron said that he would submit the revised version of the Military Planning Law for 2024-2030 this autumn. This law was originally planned to achieve the goal of doubling the defense budget by 2030.

As the French government is seeking to cut costs to restore public finances, Macron refused to support additional defense spending by increasing debt. He stated: "Our military independence is inseparable from financial independence. Therefore, we will provide funds for military independence through more activities and more production."

Bastille Day is the anniversary of the French people's storming of the Bastille and the French Revolution. In his speech, Macron said that in the face of a more cruel world, the country must become stronger. He took artificial intelligence (AI), drones, electronic warfare and other examples to point out that France is now facing a new form of war and conflict, "with no rear and no front".

He emphasized that for France to maintain its freedom, it must be feared, and to be feared, it must be strong.