French President Emmanuel Macron used his annual New Year address to the armed forces on Thursday to warn that 2026 will be a demanding year for France’s national defence, as global tensions continue to rise.
Speaking at the Istres Air Base in southern France, Macron pointed to a series of international crises shaping the security landscape. These include Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, growing unrest in Iran, and renewed concern over the Arctic following US President Donald Trump’s public interest in taking control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
France views developments in the Arctic as strategically sensitive due to the region’s increasing geopolitical importance. Macron stressed that maintaining freedom requires strength and credibility, saying France must be able to respond faster and with greater force in an increasingly unstable world. The president outlined three main defence priorities: boosting ammunition reserves, improving operational readiness, and protecting France’s national sovereignty.
On defence spending, Macron confirmed plans for a major funding increase, proposing an additional €36 billion between 2026 and 2030. This includes an initial €3.5 billion increase in 2026. He also recalled his 2017 commitment to raise defence spending to 2 percent of GDP, a target France has now achieved.
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