The National Assembly and the Senate have given the green light to this major policy text. In total, 413 billion euros will be devoted to the army from 2024 to 2030.
The new military programming law is on track. The project, widely adopted for the second time in the National Assembly on Wednesday, was finally voted on by the Senate on Thursday July 13. It establishes the main orientations of France in its military orders and expenditure. In total, 413 billion euros are devoted to the armed forces, over a period of seven years, between 2024 and 2030. This represents an increase of 40% compared to the 2019-2025 programming law, but 30 billion euros will be used simply to cover inflation.
This trajectory will be enshrined in law, but it will however have to be validated each year. In 2030, the military budget could be the first in the country, with 67.4 billion euros programmed.
The modernization of nuclear deterrence
Widely adopted at first reading by the deputies, the military programming law (LPM) should make it possible to modernize nuclear deterrence, “essential component of our national defense”, underline the text. It alone will absorb 13% of credits. This includes, for example, renovation, the installation of new air-to-surface nuclear missiles (ASMP-A), the preparation of a fourth generation of airborne missiles and other equipment developments. Work will be carried out on the next generations of launcher aircraft, such as the Rafale and the future “Scaf” combat aircraft, as well as third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SNLE).
Ammunition, innovation, space… “Priority efforts”
The LPM, which will be updated in 2027 by a vote of Parliament, also intends “modernize” the military apparatus. Some 10 billion euros will be devoted to theinnovation (artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, quantum and stealth technologies, hypervelocity…) and 6 billion will be dedicated tospace, in particular within the framework of the Syracuse V program of sovereign satellites, as well as in surveillance capacities. The project also provides for a space operations command centre. Five billion euros will be devoted to the development of dronea sector in which France is lagging behind.
Judging that “Modern armed conflicts make greater use of ground-to-air defenses which have demonstrated their effectiveness, particularly in Ukraine”, the text provides 5 billion euros for this type of defence. Some 13 billion euros will be devoted to the sovereignty forces engaged in the territories overseas and their exclusive economic zones. Some 5.4 billion euros will be invested in the informationin order to respond to “current technological challenges”and 4 billion euros in the cyber defense. Finally, 2 billion euros will be committed to special forces (modernized transport planes, NH90 helicopters, drones, new vehicles…).
Finally, emphasis is placed on the production of ammunition, to the tune of 16 billion euros. It will be based on the approach “war economy” to reduce “significantly production delays”ensures the project, in particular on the 40 mm and 155 mm ammunition, as well as on the Mistral, Aster and MMP missiles. “In the event that France is engaged, directly or indirectly, in a lasting conflict”the State will mobilize the defense industry “to be able to quickly build up ammunition stocks”.
Vehicle deliveries postponed
Despite substantial efforts – 268 billion euros for equipment – the armies will receive fewer armored vehicles (2,400, down on the previous schedule), which concerns in particular Serval light armored vehicles, recognition Jaguar or even Griffons. They will also receive fewer Rafale planes (137 instead of 185) and frigates (three instead of five).
“It seems to me that we have to assume the staggering of programs” after 2030, Minister Sébastien Lecornu declared in April during a hearing at the National Assembly. “We have ensured the honesty of this trajectory with regard to the capacities of manufacturers and export opportunities (…). We have had a demanding dialogue with Nexter on the Caesars, the Jaguars, the Servals or the Griffons: so we had to recompose our programmes.”
A parliamentary assessment of arms exports
The subject is sensitive. In France, arms exports are the sole responsibility of the government and the administration, without parliamentary control. A parliamentary committee “devaluation” arms exports will still be created, and will be entrusted to three deputies and three senators who will be authorized “secret-defense”. “It’s a historic step forward”welcomed the PS senator from Val-d’Oise Rachid Temal, quoted by Public Sénat.
The Senate had, however, pleaded for a commission of “control”entrusted to the parliamentary intelligence delegation, but it came up against the categorical refusal of the government. “In the Netherlands and Germany, parliamentarians are informed within two weeks of the allocation of new export licenses”recalls Tony Fortin, in charge of studies for the Armaments Observatory, interviewed by Point. And the government responds in detail to their written questions.
More and more reservists and better salaries
The credits must also improve the treatment of troops and their families and improve the conditions of reservists. By 2030, the Ministry of Defense expects 210,000 active military and 65,000 civilians, but it also wants to improve the conditions of the 80,000 operational reservists expected by 2030, which represents a doubling of the number current. “By 2035, the reinforcement (…) will continue to reach the ratio of one operational reservist for two active soldiers, or 105,000 operational reservists.” In “depending on the reality of the labor market”the Ministry may, however, earmark appropriations “recruitment” towards the loyalty of the troops (bonuses, advantages, etc.).
>> At the heart of the operational reserve, these part-time soldiers who “all have this desire to be useful to national defense”
Reinforced controls
Strict control of soldiers and civilians who have performed sensitive functions and wish to work for a State or a foreign company will be established. The powers of requisition of the State with companies involved in defense will also be extended. The text finally reinforces the National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (Anssi). In the event of a threat to national security, Anssi may in particular initiate several gradual coercive measures against domain names, and collect data on an operator’s network, despite strong fears on the left for data protection.