France is to introduce voluntary military service of 10 months aimed mainly at young people aged 18 and 19, as concern grows in Europe about the threat from Russia. President Emmanuel Macron announced the plan in a speech to troops in the French Alps, saying it would begin by mid-2026 and help France respond to 'accelerating threats' on the global stage.
Almost 30 years after France scrapped conscription, Macron said he would not go back on that decision but added: 'We need mobilisation.' Under the new service, volunteers would be paid a minimum of €800 (£700) per month and receive food, accommodation, and a 75% discount on rail travel. They would be deployed only on national soil.
The plan will cost €2bn and aims to bring in 3,000 volunteers in 2026, rising to 10,000 by 2030, with a target of 50,000 by 2036. Macron said the scheme was 'inspired by practices of our European partners' at a time when European nations are concerned about US security guarantees and Russia's aggressive posturing.
The move brings France in line with other European countries such as Germany and Denmark that have launched similar projects. The French armed forces currently have approximately 200,000 active personnel and 47,000 reservists, numbers expected to increase to 210,000 and 80,000 respectively by 2030.
Macron's announcement comes after comments by France's armed forces chief, General Fabien Mandon, who said France needed to steel itself for possible future losses against Russian aggression. Macron dismissed any suggestion of sending young people to Ukraine, saying: 'We must absolutely, immediately, dispel any confused idea.'
