France is shifting its economy toward a military focus — Politico
The French Ministry of Defense has officially announced a major overhaul of its military planning strategy through 2030.
Paris’s key priority is an unprecedented buildup of high-precision weapons and unmanned systems, driven by the realities of modern high-intensity warfare.
According to the updated draft bill cited by Politico, France plans to increase its stockpile of AASM HAMMER guided bombs by 240%.
Even more ambitious plans concern unmanned aerial vehicles—the arsenal of kamikaze drones is set to grow by a staggering 400%, signaling a complete shift in the country’s defense paradigm.
The government has allocated an additional €8.5 billion for the emergency procurement of ammunition, missiles, and other modern weapons.
This decision is based on a thorough analysis of combat operations in Ukraine, where the consumption of precision-guided munitions and drones is occurring at a rate for which European armies were previously unprepared.
The French Ministry of Defense notes the need for the armed forces to urgently adapt to a “war economy” scenario.
The main criterion for effectiveness is now not only the quality of the weapons but also the speed of their mass production and the industry’s ability to quickly replenish strategic reserves.
Particular emphasis is placed on weapons that have already been successfully tested on the battlefield.
French AASM HAMMER guided bombs are being actively and effectively used by the Ukrainian Air Force to strike occupier positions, which is the best confirmation of their technological superiority and reliability.
The document also outlines a significant increase in France’s overall defense budget in the coming years.
Military spending is expected to gradually rise to €63.3 billion in 2027, and by the end of the decade, in 2030, this figure will reach a record high of €76.3 billion.
In addition to aviation and drones, Paris is initiating its own research on replacing the Leclerc main battle tank.
As a reminder, Russia, China, and France blocked a military resolution regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
France has begun a large-scale repatriation of its citizens from the Middle East.
