Macron considers “necessary” an “adjustment” of the army budget in 2025

Macron during his traditional address to the armies on the eve of July 14. MAXPPP – STEPHANIE LECOCQ/POOL

The Head of State held his speech to the Armed Forces at the Hôtel de Brienne this Saturday, July 13, 2024, during which he reaffirmed France's support for Ukraine and estimated that an adjustment of the army budget was "necessary" in 2025.

President Emmanuel Macron estimated "necessary" ce Saturday July 13, 2024 a "adjustment" of the defense budget in 2025, due to the "reconciliation of threats", particularly in light of of the war in Ukraine, during his traditional address to the armies on the eve of July 14.

"The acceleration of time, the rapprochement of threats indeed imposes new settings. This is why I ask you to continue to draw the consequences of the war as it will be tomorrow and not as we imagined it yesterday, and to prepare an adjustment to our military programming for 2025", declared the Head of State in front of an audience of senior officers.

"This adjustment is necessary", he insisted without giving details, while new priorities have emerged in recent years thanks to the war in Ukraine, like armed drones, which have become essential on the battlefield.

But "I am talking about adjustment and not about overhaul", underlined the president , by ensuring that "the ambitions and foundations are invariable for the defense of our country".

An increase of 40%

The military programming law (LPM) 2024-2030 provides for an increase of 40% compared to the previous LPM with 413 billion euros over seven years.

Emmanuel Macron also welcomed on Saturday the participation of the armies in the security system of the Olympic Games which will begin on July 26 in Paris.

"Through your commitment to the success of the Games, sometimes through your own athletes, you will play your full part in this season of unity and of influence of the Nation", he congratulated himself.

Some 18,000 soldiers must participate in the security of the Olympic Games (July 26-August 11), in support of the 45,000 internal security forces, police and gendarmerie.