PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron is set to reveal a new military service plan aimed at strengthening France’s armed forces. This comes as concerns grow over Russia’s actions in Ukraine and the potential risks to Europe.
Macron’s visit to the Varces military base will highlight the need for France to prepare for emerging threats. Earlier this year, he proposed a voluntary military service option for young people, opting against reinstating national conscription which France abolished in 1996.
With the war in Ukraine highlighting vulnerabilities, Macron emphasized the importance of showing strength. “A sign of weakness to Russia could lead to further aggression,” he noted. To support this strategy, he announced an additional €6.5 billion ($7.6 billion) in military spending over the next two years, with plans to increase annual defense spending to €64 billion by 2027—double the amount spent when he took office in 2017.
France currently has about 200,000 active military members and over 40,000 reservists. The government aims to boost reservists to 100,000 by 2030. Recently, General Fabien Mandon, the new army chief, warned that the nation must be ready for potential conflict with Russia, echoing historical tensions. Since Russia’s annexation of Georgia in 2008 and Crimea in 2014, many are increasingly wary of future aggressions.
Macron clarified that volunteers would not be deployed to the frontlines in Ukraine. “There’s no confusion; we won’t send our youths to Ukraine,” he stated firmly.
France isn’t alone in this military buildup. Germany is also enhancing its recruitment efforts with a voluntary military service plan awaiting parliamentary approval. Meanwhile, Belgium’s defense minister recently reached out to 17-year-olds, encouraging them to apply for military service, aiming to select 500 candidates to begin training.
Poland has introduced a voluntary training program, with a goal to train 100,000 volunteers each year by 2027. Ten EU countries currently have some form of compulsory military service, with varying lengths of obligation. Countries like Norway practice mandatory service for both genders, showcasing a broader trend of reassessing military readiness amidst ongoing global tensions.
In a world where the geopolitical landscape is shifting rapidly, nations are rethinking their defense strategies. As young people consider military service options, public interest and discussions are trending on social media platforms, reflecting a growing awareness of security issues in Europe.
For more details on military spending in Europe, check out the EU’s official defense report.
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Russia Ukraine war, Children, Military and defense, General news, World news, Article, 127921690
