France is preparing an update to the 2024-2030 Military Programming Law (LPM), which allocates an additional €36 billion for defense by the end of the decade.
This report appeared on the French analytical resource Let’s Talk Deterrence.
Following the revision, the country’s annual defense budget is set to rise to €76.3 billion in 2030, nearly double the 2017 level.
One of the key priorities will be strengthening nuclear deterrence and modernizing France’s strategic forces.
The update also calls for an increase in stockpiles of artillery ammunition, missiles, and air defense systems.
About €8.5 billion is planned to be allocated for the procurement of ammunition.
Another €1.6 billion is to be invested in air defense, specifically the development of the SAMP/T NG system.
Approximately €2 billion is earmarked for unmanned and robotic systems.
France is also accelerating the development of the Rafale F5 fighter jet, which is expected to enter service in the early 2030s.
By 2035, the plan is to have at least 47 Rafale aircraft in the F5 standard for the Air and Space Forces and naval aviation.
Particular emphasis is placed on capabilities to penetrate modern air defense systems and strike targets deep within enemy defenses.
Paris also plans to establish a European early warning system for missile attacks by 2035.
The program revision is attributed to the war in Ukraine, the crisis in the Middle East, and doubts regarding long-term U.S. security guarantees for Europe.
As a reminder, at the same time, France is preparing a new division in case of a major war in Europe.
