French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to boost military spending by €6.5 billion over the next two years, citing growing threats to Europe’s security.
In his traditional address to the armed forces on the eve of Bastille Day, Macron warned that freedom in Europe has not faced such serious danger since the end of World War II.
“Since 1945, freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously,” Macron declared.
Under the plan, France’s annual defense budget will climb to €64 billion ($74.8 billion) by 2027 — double the €32 billion figure when Macron first took office in 2017. This target had previously been set for 2030 but is now being accelerated.
The president detailed that an extra €3.5 billion will be added to the defense budget in 2026, followed by an additional €3 billion in 2027, the final year of his second term.
“To be free in this world, we must be feared. To be feared, we must be powerful,” Macron stated.
He stressed that Europe’s peace and security depend heavily on decisions made now, given the challenges posed by Russia’s war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, and shifting U.S. foreign policy. Macron also pointed to rising risks from cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
Further details on the 2026 defense budget are expected when Prime Minister Francois Bayrou presents a dedicated address on Tuesday. Photo by Spc. Kalie Frantz, Wikimedia commons.