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France Unveils €36 Billion 2024–2030 Defense Update to Accelerate Rearmament

Lawmakers now face a fast‑track vote before July 14 to enable rapid munitions restocking plus new air defenses.

Overview

  • The government, which presented the draft Wednesday in the Council of Ministers, set out a €36 billion increase through 2030 and will now submit the bill to Parliament.
  • Spending targets focus on combat supplies and drones, with an extra €8.5 billion for munitions and €2 billion more for unmanned systems, plus added SAMP/T air‑defense batteries, anti‑drone jammers and radars, and new Caesar guns.
  • France will start a conventional ground‑to‑ground ballistic missile program with about 2,500 km range and invest in early missile‑warning, while boosting space outlays by roughly €4.2 billion.
  • The budget path reaches €76.3 billion in 2030—about 2.5% of GDP—but the force format stays unchanged at 210,000 active personnel, 225 combat aircraft and 15 first‑rank frigates.
  • The draft creates a new state of national security alert to speed decisions in a grave threat, allowing temporary rule waivers, faster defense contracts, broader requisitions and expanded anti‑drone powers for sensitive sites.