Macron Announces New Voluntary Military Service for France
Paris, France – President Emmanuel Macron has announced the introduction of a new voluntary military service, slated to begin in the summer of 2026, aimed at bolstering France’s defense capabilities and national preparedness.Speaking to the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade in Varces, in the Alps, Macron emphasized the need to “defend ourselves in the face of growing threats, prepare the nation and its moral strength,” adding that “fear never prevents danger. The only way to avoid it is to prepare.”
The program will initially target young citizens aged 18 and 19, offering a ten-month service period “exclusively on the national territory.” Macron outlined a phased rollout, starting with 3,000 participants in the summer of 2026, scaling up to 10,000 by 2030, and ultimately reaching 50,000 volunteers annually by 2035. He expressed confidence in the program’s appeal, stating that “our young peopel are thirsty for commitment” and “ready to fight for their homeland.”
The decision, Macron explained, is a response to an increasingly volatile global landscape.”In this uncertain world, where force prevails over law and war is an everyday reality, our nation has no right to give in to fear, panic, unpreparedness or division,” he stated, framing the initiative as a proactive measure against potential threats, notably from Russia.
Alongside the announcement, Macron committed an additional 6.5 billion euros ($7.6 billion) to military spending over the next two years. This investment is projected to bring France’s annual defense budget to 64 billion euros in 2027, doubling the 32 billion euros spent annually when he first took office in 2017.
Currently, the French armed forces comprise approximately 200,000 active duty personnel and over 40,000 reservists, making it the second largest military force in the European Union, after Poland.
The announcement follows recent warnings from the new chief of staff of the army, General Fabien Mandon, who cautioned that France must prepare for potential casualties – “lose its children” – in the event of a conflict with Russia, a statement that sparked widespread debate.
This initiative represents a shift in approach from earlier considerations of reinstating mandatory conscription, which was abolished in France in 1997. Since then,the goverment and military leadership have been exploring ways to increase manpower,aiming to “create a pool of personnel that can be mobilized in the event of a crisis,” as outlined in a strategic review published on July 14th. The voluntary service will be compensated, according to unconfirmed reports. macron initially announced his intention to “allow young volunteers to learn alongside the armed forces and strengthen their ranks” in january.
