Amid significant geopolitical changes, Sébastien Lecornu emphasizes the urgent need for increased defense spending in France, which has nearly doubled since 2017. He advocates for a military budget target of approximately 100 billion euros annually to enhance France’s operational capabilities, particularly in ammunition, electronic warfare, and technology integration. Lecornu and Amélie de Monchalin stress the importance of military sovereignty, especially in light of an upcoming parliamentary discussion on national finances and a new European defense initiative worth 800 billion euros.
‘We are navigating a period of significant transformation, and explaining the complexities is no easy task, especially since some threats remain obscured’. These remarks by Sébastien Lecornu poignantly capture the current landscape, marked by geopolitical volatility and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In light of these developments, the necessity for rearmament across Europe has emerged. France, possessing one of the most formidable military forces globally, often faces scrutiny regarding its capacity to engage in sustained conflicts over the medium to long term, and it is not exempt from this emerging trend.
In an interview with La Tribune Dimanche on March 9, Lecornu called for a renewed commitment to defense spending, highlighting that the budget has nearly doubled from 2017 to 2025. ‘We are already capable of achieving a great deal with the 50.5 billion euros (allocated for 2025) but it simply isn’t sufficient’, he contends. ‘The military programming direction we have taken in 2023 is promising. The pressing issue now lies in the pace and urgency of our rearmament efforts’, asserts the Minister of the Armed Forces. ‘Our military must be prepared to undertake significant commitments to safeguard the European continent. However, these efforts focus on defense and deterrence rather than offensive warfare’, he underscores.
A target around 100 billion euros annually would represent an optimal strength for the French military
A target around 100 billion euros annually would represent an optimal strength for the French military
Sébastien Lecornu
What would this new commitment entail? ‘The frequently mentioned target of achieving 5% of our GDP for defense would equate to an annual budget of 140-150 billion euros’, he explains. ‘While I would welcome reaching this benchmark, it may not be practical’, the 38-year-old leader noted to our colleagues. ‘Thus, we have charted a growth trajectory aimed at increasing the budget to 68 billion euros by 2030. Nonetheless, if we aspire to restore our operational capabilities over time while addressing the challenges posed by emerging technologies, it is clear that a target of approximately 100 billion euros per year would provide the ideal foundation for the French military’, he elaborates.
The minister has identified several key priorities, starting with ‘ammunition and electronic warfare’. Following closely are ‘the integration of drones and robotics into the armed forces’, along with ‘artificial intelligence and space advancements’. However, he assures that these investments do not detract from other critical areas, particularly ‘our social framework’. Military expenditure, he emphasizes, ‘brings considerable benefits to France’ and ‘enhances our trade balance’. Additionally, over 200,000 jobs are directly or indirectly associated with this sector.
‘Our primary focus is on sovereignty’, stressed Amélie de Monchalin during her appearance on L’Événement du dimanche LCI. ‘This sovereignty is military in nature. We must establish credibility and expedite initiatives initially slated for 2035 to 2030. There is also a financial aspect to sovereignty: a country laden with debt and lacking the trust of its financiers becomes vulnerable’, she cautioned, alluding to an upcoming parliamentary discussion in April regarding national expenditures and revenues.
Additionally, it is noteworthy that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, recently unveiled an ‘800 billion euro initiative for European defense’.