August M
France is expanding youth involvement in national defence with a new voluntary military service programme launching in 2026, part of a broader shift across Europe as governments reassess security needs in the wake of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
France is moving in a different direction. According to reporting from The Express, President Emmanuel Macron has launched a new voluntary military service programme set to begin in 2026 for 18- and 19-year-olds.
The scheme is expected to begin with 3,000 participants next year and expand to 10,000 by 2030. Macron said he hopes the figure could “reach 50,000 youth by 2036, depending on evolving threats.”
Participants will serve only within French territory, after which they can re-enter civilian life, join the reserves, or continue into the armed forces.
A continental shift in defence posture
The newspaper notes that France’s move comes nearly 30 years after the country abandoned obligatory national service.
Macron emphasised that France “cannot return to the time of conscription,” describing the new model as a hybrid that combines active-duty forces, reservists, and youth service members.
Other European nations, including Germany and Denmark, have also begun exploring or implementing similar initiatives, reflecting a broader reassessment of national defence capabilities as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to reshape security planning across Europe.
