France’s Macron calls for major hike in defence spending: ‘To be free, we must be feared’

France

President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday called for a substantial rise in France’s defence spending over the next two years, citing imminent threats, particularly Russia. “To be free in this world, we need to be feared,” the French leader said, noting he wants to see a €3.5 billion hike in defence spending in 2026, and by another €3 billion in 2027. Lawmakers will need to approve such measures.

Issued on: 13/07/2025 - 18:06Modified: 13/07/2025 - 18:12

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FRANCE 24

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FRANCE 24

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FRANCE 24

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FRANCE 24

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced 6.5 billion euros in extra military spending in the next two years because of new and unprecedented threats, from Russia to terrorists to online attacks.

The French leader laid out the spending plans in a sweeping speech calling for intensified efforts to protect Europe. He said France will aim to spend 64 billion euros in annual defense spending in 2027, the last year of his second term; that would be double the 32 billion in annual spending when he became president in 2017.

″Since 1945, freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously,” Macron said in the French president’s traditional speech to the military on the eve of the Bastille Day national holiday.

″To be free in this world we must be feared. To be feared we must be powerful,” he said.

Read moreFrance is Russia's 'main enemy' in Europe, French army head says

He insisted that France can find the money to spend more on the military even as it tries to bring down massive debts. Conservative and far-right parties have supported greater defense spending, while left-wing parties accuse the government of sacrificing hard-won social welfare benefits for military spending.

“The nation needs you,” he said. "Every French man and woman must be cognizant of the threat around us."

"We all need to make sacrifices. Freedom has a price tag." 

Europe is in danger because of Russia’s war in Ukraine and wars in the Middle East, and because ″the United States have added a form of uncertainty″, Macron said. He also cited online disinformation campaigns by unnamed foreign governments and propaganda operations targeting children, in ″the screen era″.

Macron also ordered France’s top military and defense officials to start a ″strategic dialogue″ with European partners about the role that France’s nuclear arsenal could play in protecting Europe. France and Britain agreed recently to cooperate on nuclear arsenal issues.