Paris declares 'security emergency'. Revolution in the army and billions for armaments

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced on Wednesday additional orders for ammunition worth a total of EUR 8.5 billion, which are to be completed by 2030. This decision was made as part of the update of the legal act regulating military spending (LPM).

– Of course, ammunition is urgent. We plan to allocate an additional EUR 8.5 billion for (ammunition procurement) in 2024-2026, which is in addition to the amount of EUR 16 billion included in the voted LPM of 2023. This is colossal, Lecornu said in the National Assembly, opening the debate on the situation in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister explained that the updated LPM will be discussed during the meeting of the Council of Ministers on April 8, and the debate on this text and vote in the National Assembly will take place in the week between May 4 and 8, and then between June 1 and 5 in the Senate.

Lecornu added that With this decision, the updated military spending plan will provide for ammunition expenditure four times greater than the previous legal act passed in 2018 and valid in 2019-2025.

LPM is also to implement new system of “state of national security threat”which – as the head of the French government explained – “is intended to improve (…) decision-making processes in the event of a threat, which will allow the implementation of strategic projects.” The AFP agency, quoting the Prime Minister, added that this legal provision would, for example, allow for a sudden strengthening of the security of critical infrastructure, e.g. fuel and ammunition warehouses. It would also make it possible to deploy troops more quickly on the territory of the country.

In his speech, the Prime Minister also announced the creation of the France Munitions platform, which is to respond to the needs of the French army and allied forces for ammunition. Production is to be financed by the state and private initiatives. In addition, a support plan for the civilian and military industry worth EUR 300 million is to be implemented. (PAP)

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