Paris warns it must be ready for scenarios up to a large-scale clash, and proposes a new national alert regime to respond swiftly.
France is considering the scenario of a potential large-scale military conflict, and the government proposes to introduce a new regime – the state of national alarm and security – to respond promptly to threats to national security.
This was stated by the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catrin Votren, during a speech in the National Assembly, presenting the updated Military Programming Law.
«The challenge for our country is clear – to be able to withstand any situation, up to a major confrontation, in a time horizon that we do not control»
– Catrin Votren
Key provisions of the bill
The document proposes enshrining the concept of the “state of national alarm and security”. It can be proclaimed by a decree of the Council of Ministers on all or part of French territory in the event of serious threats to national security to ensure the continuity of vital state functions and the protection of the population.
The new legal framework should provide the government and the security forces with operational actions during crises, including protecting citizens and critical infrastructure.
Funding and industrial directions
The government is seeking an additional €36 billion for 2026–2030 to develop defense capabilities, of which more than €3.5 billion is already this year.
«Because urgency is now»
– Catrin Votren
Among the priorities is the creation of ballistic capabilities for strikes at distances of more than 1,500 km, for which more than €1 billion is allocated.
Also, in 2026–2030 France is set to allocate €8.5 billion for ammunition, which is 53% higher than in the previous defense program.
«This is about restoring our stockpiles and consolidating the production base in the most deficit-prone segments. We must increase throughput, enable our soldiers to train, and be able to rapidly ramp up power in the event of significant ammunition consumption. In a war economy, the first weapon is, without a doubt, the factory»
– Catrin Votren
Sovereignty and external economic aspects
Alongside this, France is intensifying its efforts in air defense and drone defense by €1.6 billion in 2026–2030 and aims to balance capabilities and reduce dependence on American components, replacing them with European solutions.
«Sovereignty and reducing our dependencies truly constitute the main challenge of this upgrade. It is in this sense that the gradual replacement of American C-130H with European A400M, American AWACS for surveillance – European GlobalEye»
– Catrin Votren
The vote on the updated Military Programming Law in the first reading is scheduled for May 12. The government initiative aims to strengthen France’s defense and sovereignty in response to growing threats and global instability.