The French government has presented a draft of the updated military planning law for 2024–2030. The document provides for an additional €36 billion allocation for defenсe needs by 2030, on top of the previously planned €413 billion.
Under the updated law, defenсe spending will rise to 2.5% of GDP by the end of the decade (up from about 2% currently). The annual defenсe budget will reach €76.3 billion in 2030, nearly double the 2017 level. In 2026, it will be €57.1 billion, then gradually increase: €63.3 billion in 2027, €68.3 billion in 2028, and €72.8 billion in 2029.
Key Investment Areas
Expansion of the nuclear arsenal: The number of nuclear warheads is set to increase. Spending on nuclear deterrence will remain at around 13% of the total defenсe budget.
Significant buildup of missile and drone stocks: An extra €8.5 billion is allocated for ammunition, missiles, and drones. In particular:
Loitering munitions (kamikaze drones) stocks—to grow by 400%.
AASM Hammer guided bombs—increase by 240%.
Aster and Mica air defenсe missiles—growth by 30%
Substantial increases in 155mm shells, torpedoes, and other ammunition are also planned.
Strengthening air and missile defenсe, plus development of early warning systems (including ground radars and a satellite by 2035).
Increasing troop numbers and readiness: By 2030, the operational reserve is to reach 50,000 personnel alongside 275,000 active-duty service members (total forces around 330,000).
Defenсe Minister Catherine Vautrin emphasized that these measures aim to accelerate France’s rearmament amid a changed geopolitical landscape, including the Russian threat and lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. President Emmanuel Macron has previously stated the need to prepare for high-intensity conflicts.
The draft law will be submitted to parliament, where it is expected to be discussed and approved by July 14, 2026. Annual budgets will still require separate approval.