France rearms itself: proposal to raise military spending to €450 billion
Military spending has returned to the forefront of political debate in France amid rising geopolitical tensions and increasing security risks.
A new trend has emerged within the Senate calling for a significant increase in the defence budget as part of the Military Programming Law extending to 2030, reflecting growing concern over the security challenges facing the country and Europe as a whole.
Military Programming Law: what is it?
Senators in committee have approved several amendments aimed at raising the total budget of the Military Programming Law to €450 billion by 2030, despite warnings from France’s High Council for Public Finances that the country does not have sufficient resources to achieve such ambitions, according to Le Monde.
While the Senate began debating the updated military programming bill on Tuesday, May 19, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, Cédric Perrin, announced on Wednesday during a press conference that several amendments increasing defence spending beyond the government’s proposed rise had been adopted in committee, and would be debated in plenary sessions between June 2 and June 9.
Senate proposal: a €50 billion increase
According to the French newspaper, instead of the current €400 billion allocated to the armed forces through 2030 under the plan adopted in 2023, the Senate proposes adding €50 billion to this already substantial effort.
This increase exceeds what was approved by the National Assembly in its first reading on May 19, when a €36 billion increase was adopted (440 votes to 122). If the Senate’s proposal is not rejected, the total defence budget could reach €450 billion by the end of the decade.
Justifications: rising global threats
Cédric Perrin stated: “The current version of the Military Programming Law merely makes the army’s needs more realistic; we propose drawing the actual consequences of the rise in threats.”
He added: “It is a matter of consistency,” noting that the Senate, like many experts, has long criticised the underestimation of military needs in the 2023 law adopted after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. The plan has since been affected by inflation and the increasing deployment of French forces abroad.
The Military Programming Law, which forms the backbone of France’s defence planning, defines over several years the resources allocated to the armed forces and their modernisation priorities.
The 2023 version set the spending ceiling at €400 billion, in a context marked by the start of the war in Ukraine and France’s attempt to adapt to its consequences. However, subsequent developments, including expanding conflicts and rising equipment costs, have led many officials to consider this ceiling insufficient.
In this context, the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee has adopted amendments proposing to raise the budget to €450 billion, an increase of €50 billion compared to the original plan, exceeding the National Assembly’s earlier approval of a smaller €36 billion rise.
These amendments are expected to be debated in June, setting the stage for a major political and legislative battle over defence spending.
Previous criticisms: underestimated needs
Supporters of the increase argue that it is necessary to adapt to a new and highly complex security environment. The war in Ukraine has revived scenarios of conventional interstate conflict, while non-traditional threats such as terrorism and cyberattacks continue to grow.
In addition, the global deployment of French forces—from Africa to the Middle East and Eastern Europe—creates increasing financial and logistical burdens. Inflation has also driven up the cost of military equipment and energy, reducing the real value of previously allocated budgets.
However, the proposal has also faced serious criticism, particularly from financial institutions. France’s High Council for Public Finances has warned that military ambitions may exceed available economic resources, raising concerns about widening deficits and increasing public debt.
This raises questions about the state’s ability to fund such an increase without affecting essential sectors such as healthcare, education, and social services.
The ongoing debate reflects a clear divide within the political class. Supporters of the increase argue that national security must be an absolute priority in an unstable world, while opponents warn that excessive military spending could undermine financial and social balance.
Some experts also stress that the issue is not only the size of the budget, but also spending efficiency and the clarity of long-term defence strategy.
In conclusion, France faces a complex dilemma between security imperatives and economic constraints. Increasing military spending could strengthen its defence capabilities and international standing, but it also poses significant financial challenges.
The final decision on this issue will be a key test of policymakers’ ability to balance national security priorities with economic stability.
