French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a stark warning about global threats during his address to military leaders on the eve of Bastille Day, stating that “freedom has never been so threatened.” This declaration supports an announcement to substantially increase military spending, marking a decisive shift in France’s defense strategy.
“We Europeans must assure our security ourselves,” Macron emphasized, reflecting a growing sentiment that traditional alliances, particularly with the United States during the Trump administration, have weakened. He underscored a sense of urgency by noting, “You have to be feared in this world. And to be feared you have to be strong.”
In light of escalating geopolitical challenges, Macron outlined plans to elevate military spending to $74.8 billion by 2027, nearly doubling the budget since he took office in 2017. This increase of 6.5 billion euros, or approximately $7.6 billion, over the next two years is framed as a necessary response to the complexities of modern security threats, including a pronounced focus on Russian aggression.
While current military expenditures have risen from $37.64 billion at the beginning of Macron’s presidency, they still only account for 2 percent of France's total economic output. However, NATO has recently set a target for all its member states to elevate their military spending to 5 percent of national income by 2035.
The implications of Macron's speech extend beyond mere budget numbers; it captures a broader strategic shift within Europe as nations grapple with a landscape defined by insecurity and the abandonment of past diplomatic norms.
