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France to Invest €36 Billion in Defense Overhaul as Macron Pushes for Military Boost

July 11, 2026Pablo Navarro1 мин

France is preparing a significant increase in defense spending, with President Emmanuel Macron endorsing an additional €36 billion investment by 2030. This substantial funding aims to bolster the nation's military capabilities and enhance its nuclear deterrence.

The proposal, outlined in an updated military spending bill, would elevate defense expenditures to 2.5% of France's GDP. This move reflects growing security concerns stemming from ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside uncertainties regarding long-term U.S. support, particularly under a potential Donald Trump presidency.

French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin characterized the initiative as a response to a 'profound and brutal shift' in global geopolitics. France aims to adapt to what it perceives as an increasingly unstable and conflict-prone world.

A key component of the plan involves expanding France's nuclear arsenal, including an increase in the number of warheads and sustained investment in deterrence, which already accounts for approximately 13% of the defense budget. Paris maintains the world's fourth-largest nuclear stockpile and is also exploring ways to extend its nuclear umbrella to European partners.

Beyond nuclear capabilities, the plan mandates significant funding increases for conventional forces. Billions will be allocated to replenish artillery, air defense systems, and long-range missiles, while new investments will target drone warfare, robotics, and next-generation missile systems.

France also aims to diminish its reliance on U.S. military support by developing independent capabilities. This includes an early warning system to detect missile launches, potentially backed by a European satellite network by 2035.