Macron announces the introduction of voluntary military service in France, a response to the Russian threat / What it entails and how long it will last
The new voluntary military service will start in mid-2026, aimed mainly at 18-19-year-olds, and will help France respond to “increasingly acute threats” on the international stage, write Reuters and France 24
Nearly three decades after France scrapped compulsory military service, the head of state unveiled the new program during a visit to an infantry brigade stationed in southeastern France.
This measure is part of a wider change at the European level, where countries that have enjoyed decades of tranquility thanks to security guarantees provided by the US are worried about the change in priorities of President Donald Trump and the aggressive attitude of Russia, writes Reuters.
“France cannot remain passive,” Macron said during a speech at the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade in Varces, in the French Alps.
He said the plan was “inspired by the practices of our European partners at a time when all our European allies are moving forward in response to a threat that affects us all.”
What does the program entail?
Macron said the voluntary program would be open to 18- and 19-year-olds, who would be paid, and would last 10 months. It will cost 2 billion euros, an amount he called “a significant and necessary effort.”
Around 80% of the volunteers will be aged 18 and 19 and the rest will be candidates aged up to 25 who have specific skills such as engineers.
The program provides for the employment of 3,000 people in 2026, who will serve only on French territory, and their number will increase to 10,000 by 2030.
“My ambition for France is to reach 50,000 young people by 2036, depending on the evolution of threats,” Macron said.
After the program, participants could integrate into civilian life, become reservists or stay in the armed forces, he said.
Macron's announcement aligns France follows decisions by several European states, such as Germany and Denmark, which have launched similar projects.
Recruiting is not coming back
Macron said former president Jacques Chirac's decision to abolish conscription in 1996 was correct, adding that conscription did not make sense for France's current needs.
“We cannot go back to the recruitment period,” Macron said.
“This hybrid military model meets future threats and risks by bringing together young servicemen, reservists and active duty military,” he said.
France plans to have 100,000 reservists by 2030, Macron's advisers said, up from about 47,000 today. Total military strength would then be about 210,000 troops by 2030.
Before Macron's announcement, his aides pointed to polling data suggesting high support for the armed forces among 18- to 25-year-olds.
A controversial statement
Macron's announcement was overshadowed by comments from General Fabien Mandon, the head of the French armed forces, who sparked outrage last week when he said France must prepare for possible sacrifices in the face of Russian aggression.
“What we lack is the strength of character to accept suffering to protect our identity,” he said, adding that France must “accept the loss of its children.”
Macron tried to play down Mandon's comments.
“We must immediately eliminate any confusion that suggests we are going to send young people to Ukraine,” he told RTL radio on Tuesday.
Cedric Perrin, chairman of the French Senate's foreign affairs, defense and armed forces committee, defended Mandon.
“His comments were taken out of context, but if it is necessary to be a little direct to make the French understand the situation we are in, then he was right to do so,” Perrin told Reuters.
