rki.news | Sources Xinhua
PARIS, August 18 : France on Tuesday promulgated an updated military programming law for 2024-2030, accelerating efforts to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities.
The update increases defense funding for 2026-2030 by 36 billion euros (about $41.7 billion), bringing total funding under the 2024-2030 program to 436 billion euros (about $504.7 billion) in current terms.
According to the French government, defense spending will reach at least 2.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, with a target of 3.5 percent by 2035.
The updated law also changes France’s Defense and Citizenship Day into a Mobilization Day, with greater emphasis on national defense, military activities and national cohesion.
The original military programming law was enacted in 2023. The latest update is aimed at accelerating France’s rearmament efforts amid changing security conditions.
“With 36 billion euros in additional funding for our armed forces for 2026-2030, the update to the military programming law gives France the means to maintain its standing in Europe and the world,” French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin said on social media.