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"Direct war with Russia, the main concern", head of the French Army: We are in a dangerous period, urgent investments are needed
2026-04-09 16:54:46 / BOTA
France's top military commander has told the country's parliament that the prospect of a direct conflict with Russia is his "main concern", insisting on increasing military spending as Paris is said to be preparing to move to a "war economy".
General Fabien Mandon, chief of staff of the French Armed Forces, made the statement during a hearing before the National Assembly's Defense Committee regarding a proposed update of the 2024-2030 military programming and budget.
"An open war with Russia remains my primary concern regarding the preparation of the armed forces," he told lawmakers, referring to what he called "the continued presence of a Russian threat on our continent."
Mandon, who had previously warned of a "possible clash within three or four years" with Moscow, insisted that France is in a "dangerous period" and urgently needs more investment in the military.
The general's comments come after the French government announced a revised long-term military budget that will see an additional 36 billion euros ($42 billion) spent on weapons, bringing annual spending to 76.3 billion euros by 2030, or 2.5% of GDP.
France aims to increase its arsenal of explosive drones by 400%, the number of guided bombs by 240% and the number of Scalp cruise missiles by 85% by 2030, according to a 64-page document seen by Politico.
This change is being carried out "in order to prepare for a 'war economy'," the document states.
France's push for rearmament comes amid a broader trend of European militarization, as Germany is also undergoing a massive strengthening of its armed forces, with Berlin planning to spend more than 500 billion euros on defense by 2029 and aiming to increase its active troops from 180,000 to over 260,000 by 2035.
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