Macron to boost French defence targets, citing rise of global threats
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As Moscow claims another Ukrainian village, Macron cites Russia threat to raise defence target
France’s defence budget has already risen sharply under Macron, from €32.2 billion in 2017 to €50.5 billion this year, and is projected to reach €67 billion by 2030. The announcement follows weeks of intensified fighting in eastern Ukraine, where Russian troops have stepped up assaults amid stalled ceasefire efforts led by the United States. President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce new defence priorities in a speech to the armed forces on Sunday evening, ahead of France’s Bastille Day celebrations. France’s top military officer, General Thierry Burkhard, warned on Friday (July 11) that Russia posed a “durable” threat to Europe and said the “rank of European countries in tomorrow’s world’ was being decided in Ukraine. The defence budget is set to rise again in 2026 as the government finalises its 2026 spending plan.
Russia said on Sunday (July 13) it had seized another village in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, as its forces push westward toward Dnipropetrovsk and President Emmanuel Macron prepares to unveil higher defence spending targets in response to growing threats from Moscow.
The Russian defence ministry said its troops had taken control of the village of Myrne, using its Soviet-era name “Karl Marx”. The settlement lies close to the administrative border between the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
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The ministry claimed that Russian forces had “advanced deep into the enemy’s defences” to capture the village, one of two claimed by Moscow on Sunday. The announcement follows weeks of intensified fighting in eastern Ukraine, where Russian troops have stepped up assaults amid stalled ceasefire efforts led by the United States.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow has rejected recent calls from Washington and Kyiv for a ceasefire, insisting on terms that Ukraine has so far refused to accept.
Macron eyes higher defence target
As Russia’s offensive continues, Macron is expected to announce new defence priorities in a speech to the armed forces on Sunday evening, ahead of France’s Bastille Day celebrations. His office said the president will outline “major” new measures despite the country’s strained budget.
“We must respond to the mounting threats and a disintegrating world order,” an official from the Élysée Palace said, pointing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, cyberattacks, disinformation, and the risk of terrorism as key concerns.
France’s top military officer, General Thierry Burkhard, warned on Friday (July 11) that Russia posed a “durable” threat to Europe and said the “rank of European countries in tomorrow’s world” was being decided in Ukraine. He described Russia as France’s “main adversary in Europe” and expressed concern over a potential reduction in US engagement on the continent.
Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu echoed those concerns on Sunday, telling La Tribune that France must act now if it wants to remain self-reliant. “It’s our job to provide answers,” he said, calling for “a new effort” to prepare for emerging security challenges.
France’s defence budget has already risen sharply under Macron, from €32.2 billion in 2017 to €50.5 billion this year, and is projected to reach €67 billion by 2030. But further increases could complicate efforts to cut deficits, as France faces pressure from the European Commission to rein in public spending. Servicing the national debt alone is expected to cost €62 billion this year.
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Still, Prime Minister François Bayrou has declared the defence budget “sacrosanct”, ruling out cuts as the government finalises its 2026 spending plan.
Several NATO members are also raising military budgets following a recent alliance pledge to dedicate five percent of gross domestic product to security. Britain plans to raise its defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027 and 3.0 percent after 2029. Germany aims to spend €162 billion by 2029, or 3.5 percent of GDP, while Poland has already committed 4.7 percent.
“Very clearly, we need to revise our programming and strategy today, in light of the changing nature of risks,” Macron said last week.
France’s current priorities include bolstering ground-to-air defences, expanding ammunition reserves, advancing electronic warfare capabilities, and strengthening its space-based systems.
With inputs from agencies
France’s Macron to raise defence targets, citing Russia threat
President Emmanuel Macron calls for a massive boost to France’s defence spending. He says freedom in Europe is facing a greater threat than at any time since the end of World War II. Defence budget should rise by 3.5 billion euros ($4.1 billion) in 2026, and then by a further three billion euros in 2027, he says. But Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has declared the defence budget to be “sacrosanct” and exempt from budgetary cuts. Several NATO countries are boosting their military spending, after the alliance’s members agreed last month to spend five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on security. French military and security officials have been warning of global threats weighing on France, with Defence Chief of Staff Chief Thierry Burkhard saying on Friday that Russia posed a “durable” threat to Europe. The “rank of European countries in tomorrow’s world” was being decided in Ukraine, first attacked by Russia in 2022, he said.
“We are living a pivotal moment,” Macron said in a speech on Sunday to the armed forces on the eve of the national Bastille Day holiday, denouncing “imperialist policies”, “annexing powers” and the notion that “might is right”, all a reference to Russia.
“Never has peace on our continent depended to such an extent on the decisions that we take now,” said Macron.
France faced the challenge “of remaining free and masters of our destiny”, he added.
Macron said France’s defence budget should rise by 3.5 billion euros ($4.1 billion) in 2026, and then by a further three billion euros in 2027.
‘Present at their battle stations’
“If you want to be feared, you must be powerful,” he said, calling for “mobilisation” for national defence by all government departments.
“Everyone must be present at their battle stations,” Macron said.
“We are still ahead, but if we remain at the same speed we will be overtaken tomorrow,” he added.
French military and security officials have been warning of global threats weighing on France, with Defence Chief of Staff Chief Thierry Burkhard saying on Friday that Russia posed a “durable” threat to Europe and that the “rank of European countries in tomorrow’s world” was being decided in Ukraine, first attacked by Russia in 2022.
Russia currently views France as its “main adversary in Europe”, Burkhard said.
He also warned of the consequences of a diminished US commitment to Europe, along with cyber threats, disinformation campaigns and the risk of terror attacks.
“We have to take account of the fact that there has been a change in strategic parameters,” he said.
On Sunday, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu weighed in, telling the La Tribune weekly newspaper that “it’s our job to provide answers”.
France needed to make “a new effort” if it wanted to “depend on nobody” in the future, the minister said.
France’s defence budget has already increased sharply since Macron took power, rising from 32.2 billion euros ($37.6 billion at current rates) in 2017 to 50.5 billion currently, and is projected to reach 67 billion euros in 2030.
‘Sacrosanct’ defence budget
If confirmed, the major defence spending boost could, however, threaten French efforts to cut deficits and reduce its debt mountain, amid pressure from the EU Commission on Paris to impose more fiscal discipline.
The servicing of France’s debt alone will cost the Treasury 62 billion euros this year.
But Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who on Tuesday is to outline his budget plan for 2026, has declared the defence budget to be “sacrosanct” and exempt from budgetary cuts.
In Sunday’s speech, Macron rejected any financing of the additional defence spending through additional debt.
Several NATO countries are boosting their military spending, after the alliance’s members agreed last month to spend five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on security.
Britain aims to increase its defence budget to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, and to 3.0 percent after 2029. Germany plans to reach a defence budget of 162 billion euros by 2029, equivalent to 3.5 percent of its GDP, while Poland already dedicates 4.7 percent of GDP to defence.
“Very clearly, we need to revise our programming and strategy today, in light of the changing nature of risks,” Macron said on Thursday.
Lecornu this month detailed the most urgent needs for the French armed forces, including ground-to-air defences, ammunition, electronic warfare and space capabilities.
In Sunday’s interview, he said France was mostly worried about falling behind in “disruptive technologies” including artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
Beyond budget increases, the French government is also seeking to boost “national cohesion” in the face of global crises, Elysee officials said.
Macron is expected to outline a potential mobilisation drive for young people who should be given “an opportunity to serve”, Elysee officials said.
France’s Macron calls for major hike in defence spending: ‘To be free, we must be feared’
France will aim to spend 64 billion euros in annual defense spending in 2027, the last year of his second term. That would be double the 32 billion in annual spending when he became president in 2017. Conservative and far-right parties have supported greater defense spending. Left-wing parties accuse the government of sacrificing hard-won social welfare benefits for military spending. He insisted that France can find the money to spend more on the military even as it tries to bring down massive debts.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced 6.5 billion euros in extra military spending in the next two years because of new and unprecedented threats, from Russia to terrorists to online attacks.
The French leader laid out the spending plans in a sweeping speech calling for intensified efforts to protect Europe. He said France will aim to spend 64 billion euros in annual defense spending in 2027, the last year of his second term; that would be double the 32 billion in annual spending when he became president in 2017.
″Since 1945, freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously,” Macron said in the French president’s traditional speech to the military on the eve of the Bastille Day national holiday.
″To be free in this world we must be feared. To be feared we must be powerful,” he said.
Read moreFrance is Russia’s ‘main enemy’ in Europe, French army head says
He insisted that France can find the money to spend more on the military even as it tries to bring down massive debts. Conservative and far-right parties have supported greater defense spending, while left-wing parties accuse the government of sacrificing hard-won social welfare benefits for military spending.
“The nation needs you,” he said. “Every French man and woman must be cognitive of the threat around us.”
“We all need to make sacrifices. Freedom has a pricetag.”
Europe is in danger because of Russia’s war in Ukraine and wars in the Middle East, and because ″the United States have added a form of uncertainty,″ Macron said. He also cited online disinformation campaigns by unnamed foreign governments and propaganda operations targeting children, in ″the screen era.″
Macron also ordered France’s top military and defense officials to start a ″strategic dialogue″ with European partners about the role that France’s nuclear arsenal could play in protecting Europe. France and Britain agreed recently to cooperate on nuclear arsenal issues.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
Macron to raise France’s defence targets, citing Russia threat
France’s President Emmanuel Macron on July 13 called for a massive boost to France’s defence spending. He said freedom in Europe was facing a greater threat than at any time since the end of World War II. Defence Chief of Staff Chief Thierry Burkhard said on July 11 that Russia posed a “durable” threat to Europe. He also warned of the consequences of a diminished US commitment to Europe, along with cyber threats, disinformation and the risk of terror attacks. France’s defence budget has already increased sharply since Mr Macron took power, rising from €32.2 billion ($48 billion at current rates) in 2017 to €50.5 billion ($67 billion) in 2030. But Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who on July 15 is to outline his budget plan for 2026, has declared the defence budget to be “sacrosanct” and exempt from budgetary cuts. If confirmed, the major defence spending boost could, however, threaten French efforts to cut deficits and reduce its debt mountain.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech to army leaders at l’Hotel de Brienne in Paris, on July 13.
PARIS – President Emmanuel Macron on July 13 called for a massive boost to France’s defence spending, saying freedom in Europe was facing a greater threat than at any time since the end of World War II.
“We are living a pivotal moment,” Mr Macron said in a speech to the armed forces on the eve of the national Bastille Day holiday, denouncing “imperialist policies”, “annexing powers” and the notion that “might is right”, all a reference to Russia.
“Never has peace on our continent depended to such an extent on the decisions that we take now,” said Mr Macron.
France faced the challenge “of remaining free and masters of our destiny”, he added.
Mr Macron said France’s defence budget should rise by €3.5 billion (S$5.2 billion) in 2026, and then by a further €3 billion in 2027.
‘Present at their battle stations’
“If you want to be feared, you must be powerful,” he said, calling for “mobilisation” for national defence by all government departments.
“Everyone must be present at their battle stations,” Mr Macron said.
“We are still ahead, but if we remain at the same speed we will be overtaken tomorrow,” he added.
French military and security officials have been warning of global threats weighing on France, with Defence Chief of Staff Chief Thierry Burkhard saying on July 11 that Russia posed a “durable” threat to Europe and that the “rank of European countries in tomorrow’s world” was being decided in Ukraine, invaded by Russia in 2022.
Russia currently views France as its “main adversary in Europe”, Mr Burkhard said.
He also warned of the consequences of a diminished US commitment to Europe, along with cyber threats, disinformation campaigns and the risk of terror attacks.
“We have to take account of the fact that there has been a change in strategic parameters,” he said.
On July 13, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu weighed in, telling the La Tribune weekly newspaper that “it’s our job to provide answers”.
France needed to make “a new effort” if it wanted to “depend on nobody” in the future, the minister said.
France’s defence budget has already increased sharply since Mr Macron took power, rising from €32.2 billion ($48 billion at current rates) in 2017 to €50.5 billion currently, and is projected to reach €67 billion in 2030.
‘Sacrosanct’ defence budget
If confirmed, the major defence spending boost could, however, threaten French efforts to cut deficits and reduce its debt mountain, amid pressure from the EU Commission on Paris to impose more fiscal discipline.
The servicing of France’s debt alone will cost the Treasury €62 billion this year.
But Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who on July 15 is to outline his budget plan for 2026, has declared the defence budget to be “sacrosanct” and exempt from budgetary cuts.
In July 13’s speech, Mr Macron rejected any financing of the additional defence spending through additional debt.
Several Nato countries are boosting their military spending, after the alliance’s members agreed in June to spend five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on security.
Britain aims to increase its defence budget to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027, and to 3.0 per cent after 2029. Germany plans to reach a defence budget of €162 billion by 2029, equivalent to 3.5 per cent of its GDP, while Poland already dedicates 4.7 per cent of GDP to defence.
“Very clearly, we need to revise our programming and strategy today, in light of the changing nature of risks,” Mr Macron said on July 10.
Mr Lecornu in July detailed the most urgent needs for the French armed forces, including ground-to-air defences, ammunition, electronic warfare and space capabilities.
In July 13’s interview, he said France was mostly worried about falling behind in “disruptive technologies” including artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
Beyond budget increases, the French government is also seeking to boost “national cohesion” in the face of global crises, Elysee officials said.
Mr Macron is expected to outline a potential mobilisation drive for young people who should be given “an opportunity to serve”, Elysee officials said. AFP
Macron to boost French defence targets, citing rise of global threats
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to make his first visit to Russia since taking office in May. He is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the state of the nation’s economy. The trip is part of a larger European tour of the U.S. to discuss ways to boost economic growth.
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to announce new French defence budgetary targets on Sunday, in the face of a menacing Russia and a potential US disengagement from Europe, his office said. France’s defence budget has already increased sharply since Macron took power, and is projected to rise from 50.5 billion currently to 67 billion euros in 2030.
President Emmanuel Macron is on Sunday to set new French defence targets in the face of a menacing Russia and concern about the strength of Washington’s committment to the defence of Europe, his office said.
“Defence efforts” must be made in the face of mounting threats and a disintegrating world order, Élysée officials said ahead of the president’s 7:00 pm (1700 GMT) speech to the armed forces, traditionally held on the eve of France’s national Bastille Day holiday.
Despite France’s difficult budgetary situation, the president’s announcements will be “major”, they said.
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(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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