Paris, July 14, 2025 – The Europe Today: French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday unveiled plans to increase military spending by €6.5 billion over the next two years in response to what he described as unprecedented threats facing France and Europe — ranging from Russian aggression to terrorism and cyberattacks.
Delivering a comprehensive address to military personnel on the eve of Bastille Day, Macron called for intensified defense efforts and reaffirmed France’s commitment to safeguarding European security. The announcement marks a significant escalation in France’s defense posture, with annual defense spending projected to reach €64 billion by 2027 — double the €32 billion allocated when Macron assumed office in 2017.
“Since 1945, freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously,” Macron declared. “To be free in this world, we must be feared. To be feared, we must be powerful.”
He emphasized that this enhanced military investment is necessary despite France’s efforts to reduce its national debt, calling for national unity in the face of shared challenges. “The nation needs you,” Macron said. “Every French man and woman must be cognitive of the threat around us. We all need to make sacrifices. Freedom has a pricetag.”
Macron’s proposal received support from conservative and far-right parties, while left-wing factions expressed concern that rising defense budgets could undermine the country’s social welfare programs.
The President cited a number of escalating threats: the continuing war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and increasing uncertainty surrounding the United States’ long-term commitment to European defense. He also warned of the growing influence of disinformation and propaganda, particularly targeting young people through digital platforms. These developments, he argued, require a reevaluation of national and European defense strategies.
In a significant strategic development, Macron instructed France’s top military and defense leaders to initiate a “strategic dialogue” with European partners on the role of France’s nuclear arsenal in Europe’s collective defense. This move follows a recent agreement with the United Kingdom to deepen cooperation on nuclear deterrence.
The speech reinforced France’s intent to assume a leadership role in European defense policy and strategic autonomy, amid shifting geopolitical alliances and emerging non-traditional threats. Macron’s call to action signals a broader effort to fortify the European defense architecture and ensure its resilience in a rapidly evolving global security landscape.
