Turin, 13 July (LaPresse) – French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that he wants to ‘make a new and historic effort’ in defence, explaining that the budget ‘will double by 2027’. ‘The military planning law will be supplemented by €3.5 billion in 2026 and another €3 billion the following year,’ the head of state explained in his speech to the armed forces, quoted by the French press. "Therefore, in 2027, we will allocate €64 billion to our defence. This is double the budget available to the armed forces in 2017,‘ he explained. ’Since 2017, I have decided to prioritise defence. We had to equip France with a solid, comprehensive and sovereign defence system,‘ Macron continued, emphasising ’the enormous desire for commitment and success that drives our young people". ‘To be free in this world, you have to be feared, and to be feared, you have to be powerful,’ Macron said, calling for ‘greater awareness on the part of every French person of the threats surrounding us. We have an advantage, but tomorrow, if we keep the same pace, we will be overtaken.’ Macron said France must address its ‘weaknesses’ in the defence sector.
© Copyright LaPresse
