European Security — 2026-04-08
France Unveils €36 Billion Rearmament Boost with 400% Drone Stockpile Increase
France presented an updated military planning law adding €36 billion to defense spending through 2030, lifting total allocation to €449 billion and defense spending to 2.5% of GDP. Explosive drone stocks will increase by 400%, Scalp cruise missiles by 85%, torpedoes by 230%, and surface-to-air missiles by 30%. An additional €8.5 billion goes to ammunition stockpiles, bringing the total to €26 billion. The measures follow French military commanders' warning that the country must be prepared for a clash with Russia within years.
The 400% increase in drone stocks and 85% boost in Scalp cruise missiles directly reflects operational lessons from Ukraine, where both weapon types have proven decisive. Lifting defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030 also pre-empts likely Trump demands at the next NATO summit, though the timeline extends well past the current crisis. The plan also includes nuclear deterrent expansion: France is the only EU nuclear power and may be positioning itself as Europe's security backstop if the US forward posture contracts.