On the eve of the national holiday of July 14th, Emmanuel Macron On Monday, he delivered his traditional address to the Armed Forces from the Hôtel de Brienne. For this tenth and final speech of his five-year term before the military, the Head of State displayed a firm stance in the face of international threats, while reaffirming his commitment to sustainably strengthening the defense capabilities of France and Europe.
"Peace is our goal."
At the heart of his address, Emmanuel Macron delivered a message of determination in a context marked by the war in Ukraine and international tensions. "Yes, peace is our goal, yes, we cherish freedom and the rule of law. And yes, we stand ready to fight to defend them always, even at the cost of blood if necessary," declared the President of the Republic.
The head of state paid tribute to the French military, mentioning "the price of blood paid by our French soldiers, who died for France, wounded in their flesh or their soul," while affirming that Europe was now engaged in a "strategic awakening" allowing it to take greater responsibility for its own defense.
An additional effort of 36 billion euros for the Armed Forces
Emmanuel Macron also announced an update to the Armed Forces' budget trajectory. An additional €36 billion will be allocated for the period 2026-2030.
These funds are intended to increase ammunition stocks, strengthen the operational readiness of the forces, consolidate national sovereignty in strategic areas, and continue the development of France's nuclear deterrent. The president also noted that between 2017 and 2027, the defense budget will have doubled, stating that "the commitment has been fulfilled."
A strategic vision for the next ten years
The President of the Republic announced that he will soon present a "ten-year defense vision" on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the War College.
According to him, France's military credibility by 2030 will depend on its ability to respond to current crises, whether it be support for Ukraine, operations in the Near and Middle East, the French presence in Africa or its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
Macron regrets the failure of the SCAF and advocates for a European defense
On the industrial front, Emmanuel Macron addressed the abandonment of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project, developed jointly with Germany and Spain. The president said he "deeply regretted" this setback but called for the continuation of major European defense projects.
"Patriotism, yes, nationalism, never," he declared, arguing that the proliferation of competing national programs would be "absurd" at a time when Europe is accelerating its rearmament.
A meeting of the coalition of volunteers for Ukraine
A few hours after this speech, Emmanuel Macron hosted a summit of the Coalition of the Will in Paris, attended by the Ukrainian president. Volodymyr Zelensky.
This meeting aims to strengthen military support for Kyiv, particularly in the areas of air and missile defense, but also to coordinate new security guarantees for Ukraine and to increase diplomatic pressure on Russia.
From Moscow, the Kremlin denounced a "warmongering coalition", believing that the countries gathered in Paris were "deeply deluded" in thinking they could inflict a strategic defeat on Russia.
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