France to bolster military with young volunteers

French president Emmanuel Macron unveiled a new national military service plan yesterday as France seeks to bolster its armed forces to address growing concerns over Russia's threat to European nations beyond the war in Ukraine.

- INDEPENDENT STAFF

Mr Macron announced that volunteers aged 18 and 19 will start serving next year in a new 10-month military service programme.

“A new national service is set to be gradually established, starting from next summer,” Mr Macron said in a speech at the Varces military base, in the French Alps. “In this uncertain world where power prevails over law and war is an ever-present reality, our nation has no right to fear, panic, unpreparedness, or division.”

Young volunteers will serve in France’s mainland and overseas territories only, not in its military operations abroad, Mr Macron said.

The programme will start with 3,000 youth to be selected next summer and will gradually increase to 10,000 a year by 2030. France has ambitions to reach up to 50,000 volunteers per year by 2035, a figure that will be adjusted depending on the global context, Mr Macron added.

Volunteers will hold military status and receive wages and equipment. After one month’s training, they will be assigned for nine months to a unit in which they will perform the same missions as active military personnel, he said. They will then join the military reserve and continue their education or start working. Those who wish will be able to start a professional career in the active military, Mr Macron said.