France has outlined plans to significantly expand its military capabilities, including a sharp increase in explosive drone stockpiles, under updated defence legislation presented on Wednesday (8 April).
The revised military planning law adds €36 billion to existing spending commitments, bringing total defence investment for 2024–2030 to €449 billion.
“Our armed forces must be capable of responding to a major engagement within a timeframe that none of us can predict,” Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said following a meeting of top defence and security officials.
Annual defence spending is projected to reach €76.3 billion by 2030, or 2.5% of GDP, while overall force size will remain unchanged.
• Explosive drone stockpiles to increase by up to 400% by 2030
• €8.5 billion allocated to ammunition stockpiles, totalling €26 billion
• Scalp cruise missile stocks to rise by 85%, torpedoes by 230%
• Additional €2 billion for drone procurement, bringing total to €8.4 billion
The strategy reflects lessons from conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside NATO concerns over rapid weapons production.
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