French President Emmanuel Macron has outlined plans for a significant increase in defence spending, warning that European freedom has faced a “major threat” at any time since the end of World War II.
In a speech to the Parisian military, he said that because of the complex geopolitics, “we live in pivotal moments.”
Macron called for a further increase in French defence spending by 3.5 billion euros (£3 billion) next year, and another 3 billion euros in 2027.
Referring to the threat from Russia, he condemned “imperialist policies” and “annexational power.”
The battle has been raging since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Macron has pledged to double the French military budget by 2027. This was three years before the original plan.
In 2017, its country’s defense budget was 32 billion euros, bringing it to 64 billion euros over two years under the plan. The proposal still needs to be approved by the French government.
“To be free in this world, you must be feared. To be feared, you must be powerful,” he said in a speech that fell on the eve of Bastille Day.
Macron said the world is witnessing the revival of nuclear power and the “spread of major conflicts.”
He also referred to the bombing of Iran fighting between India and Pakistan and what he called “the ups and downs in American support for Ukraine.”
Last month, NATO members agreed to commit to spending 5% of their GDP on defense every year. This increased from the previous target of 2%.
The UK has also announced its own defence review, saying that Defense Secretary John Healy will send a “message to Moscow.”
On Friday, French military head Thierry Burcard said Russia viewed France as “the main enemy of Europe.”
Russia poses a “durable” threat to Europe, Burkhard added that “the class of European countries in the world tomorrow” has been decided in Ukraine.
French Prime Minister François Bailloux will outline next year’s budget on Thursday.
