French President Emmanuel Macron proposed on Friday boosting military spending by over a quarter in coming years, saying the hike would help ensure a transformation of the army to respond to multiple potential threats. The planned 2024-2030 budget would enable a “transformation” program to adapt the military to the possibility of high-intensity conflicts, made all the more urgent since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Macron said. The Associated Press has the story:
Macron proposes big hike in military budget until 2030
Newslooks- MONT-DE-MARSAN, France (AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday proposed a substantial boost in defense spending through the end of this decade and a “transformation” of France’s nuclear-armed military to face evolving threats and take into account the impact of the war in Ukraine.
Macron announced a proposal for 413 billion euros in military spending for the period of 2024-2030, to ensure “our freedom, our security, our prosperity, our place in the world.”
That compares with spending of about 295 billion euros in a similar military plan for 2019-2025.
He made the announcement in a speech to military personnel addressing new defense strategy in the wake of the Ukraine war and other threats. He noted threats from hybrid warfare, growing cyber attacks on critical infrastructure and continued threats from terrorism.
The plan is meant to take into account the consequences of the war in Ukraine, and to boost defense spending in the coming years to reinforce France’s domestic security and the country’s ability to operate abroad.
Macron also called for modernizing France’s nuclear arsenal. He wants France’s military strategy to strengthen the country’s role as an independent global power.
Friday’s speech comes as defense officials from the U.S. and allies are meeting in Ramstein, Germany, to discuss further help for Ukraine.
