France Boosts Military Spending Amid Global Security Concerns

In a stark address, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for France to bolster its military capabilities in light of a perceived eroding global security order.

President Emmanuel Macron of France delivered a grave message to the nation’s military leaders on Sunday, asserting that freedom has never faced greater threats. The address, marking the eve of the Bastille Day national holiday, was underscored by his announcement of a significant increase in military spending. “Our freedom has never been so threatened,” he declared, reflecting a view that the rules of international engagement have broken down, leading to a reality where “the law of the strongest” dictates outcomes.

Highlighting a renewed urgency for European self-defense, Macron stated, “We Europeans must assure our security ourselves,” positioning this as a necessary response to perceived weakening ties with the United States, particularly during the Trump administration. “To be feared in this world,” he contended, “you have to be strong,” signaling a shift towards a more assertive military posture.

The President confirmed that military spending would soar to $74.8 billion by 2027, almost doubling the budget from when he took office in 2017, when the military spending stood at $37.64 billion. Over the next two years alone, the budget will increase by $7.6 billion, reflecting both a strategic shift in response to external threats—most notably from Russia—and NATO’s recent agreement for all member states to reach a military spending threshold of 5 percent of national income by 2035.

Despite these increases, Macron noted that the military budget currently remains at 2 percent of France's total economic output, highlighting a potential area of concern for future defense strategists focused on the changing dynamics of global power.