France plans to increase its defence spending by an additional 36 billion euros ($39 billion) by 2030, according to an update to its military planning law. This will expand its nuclear arsenal and enhance missile and drone stocks despite facing one of the largest budget deficits in the euro zone. The updated law aims to raise defence spending from about 2% to 2.5% of GDP by the end of the decade, with the annual budget expected to reach 76.3 billion euros in 2030, nearly doubling its 2017 level. Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin stated that the changing international geopolitical landscape requires France to act decisively.
France meets NATO’s 2% spending goal but has broader defence commitments, including its nuclear capabilities and an aircraft carrier. The country aims to reduce its budget deficit from 5% to the EU limit of 3% by 2029. Central to the update is strengthening nuclear deterrents, with an increase in the number of nuclear warheads while keeping nuclear arms spending at about 13% of the defence budget. France currently spends approximately 5.6 billion euros ($6.0 billion) annually to maintain its nuclear stockpile of 290 weapons.
The bill includes an extra 8.5 billion euros to replenish stocks of artillery, air defence systems, and long-range missiles. Additional funding will enhance air and missile defences, drone capabilities, and provide for early detection of missile launches with ground radar and a planned satellite by 2035.
With information from Reuters
