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 Varces-Allières-et-Risset, saying the service would begin by mid-2026 and help France respond to 'accelerating threats' on the global stage.
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. A minority with specific qualifications, such as engineering or medical skills, could be aged up to 25. The plan aims to bring in 3,000 volunteers in 2026, rising to 10,000 by 2030, and 50,000 by 2036.
Macron said the scheme would cost €2bn, calling it 'a significant and necessary effort'. He stressed that France would not return to compulsory conscription, which was abolished in 1997. 'This hybrid army model corresponds to the threats and risks ahead, bringing together national service youth, reservists, and the active army,' he said.
The move is part of a broader shift across Europe, with nations like Germany and Denmark launching similar projects amid concerns about Russia's aggression and shifting US priorities. France currently has about 200,000 active military personnel and 47,000 reservists, numbers expected to rise to 210,000 and 80,000 respectively by 2030.
Macron's announcement follows controversy over comments by General Fabien Mandon, who said France needed to accept potential losses against Russian aggression. Macron dismissed any suggestion that young people would be sent to Ukraine, saying: 'We must absolutely, immediately, dispel any confused idea suggesting we are going to send our young people to Ukraine.'
The plan has drawn mixed reactions. Clémence Guetté of La France Insoumise argued that 'France isn't at war and this can't be the priority for young people,' while Sébastien Chenu of the National Rally said it was 'going in the right direction'.
