Emmanuel Macron proposes big rise in defence budget

• Germany allocated €100bn to the military days after the invasion in February.
• Sweden and Finland have announced large military budget increases.
• Under Boris Johnson, the UK pledged to spend 2.5% of GDP in June.

Emmanuel Macron has proposed a huge military expansion.

He predicted a €413bn (£360bn) budget from 2024-30, up from €295bn.

He told soldiers at Mont-de-Marsan airbase in southwest France that France needs to repair and resupply her military before transforming it.

“We must do better and differently with more.”

After Russia invaded Ukraine, Western nations reviewed and increased military spending.

The Kremlin aims to boost combat personnel from 1.15 million to 1.5 million. Putin stated this week that Russia’s robust defence industry secured victory in Ukraine.

President Macron stated on Friday that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had ended post-Cold War “peace dividends,” thus the goal was to restore a military that safeguarded France’s freedom, security, wealth, and place in the world.

His plans include a 60% military intelligence budget increase, drones, cyber-defence, and air defences for “high-intensity” combat.

He advised, “One war ahead.”

Gen Eric Vidaud, France’s military intelligence chief, was fired after failing to predict the Russian invasion last February. The armed forces head said US and UK intelligence had appropriately assessed the situation.

In recent weeks, France has pledged to deliver AMX-10 RC “light battle tanks” to Ukraine, but its military help is trailing behind other European allies.

France ended a failed eight-year anti-jihadist mission in the Sahel last year.

President Macron said France must reassess its partnerships while remaining a leader in Europe and a loyal Nato ally and improving its relationships with Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain.

Sweden and Finland have announced large military budget increases as part of their Nato bids due to the Russian war. From 2024, Western military alliance members will spend 2% of GDP on defence.

Germany allocated €100bn to the military days after the invasion in February 2022.

Under Boris Johnson, the UK pledged to spend 2.5% of GDP in June.

Due to the “most severe and complicated threat situation since World War Two,” Japan increased its defense budget last month. China and North Korea threatened it.

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