August M
France’s president has used a traditional address to the armed forces to set out his vision for the country’s security in a rapidly changing world. Speaking at an air base in southern France, Emmanuel Macron framed the coming years as decisive for national defence.
The speech came amid rising international tensions and renewed debate over Europe’s military preparedness.
Armed forces central
According to Le Monde, Macron delivered his New Year’s address to the armed forces on Thursday at the Istres air base in Bouches-du-Rhône. He described the military as essential to the country’s survival, stating: “Our armed forces are our life insurance.”
The president warned that “history does not forgive either unpreparedness or weakness,” urging faster and more decisive action in defence planning. He argued that France must adapt to what he called a “brutal world”.
“To remain free, one must be feared; to be feared, one must be powerful,” Macron said, adding that power today requires acting “faster and more decisively”.
Greenland and europe
Macron announced that the first French soldiers deployed to Greenland would be supported “by land, air and sea assets”. He stressed that “Europeans have a particular responsibility” in the territory.
Without naming Washington directly, he criticised what he described as “a new colonialism at work among a few”, remarks widely seen as a reference to the United States.
The comments come amid tensions over Greenland’s strategic role and growing international interest in the Arctic.
Rearmament push
Macron acknowledged shortcomings at home, saying France was behind Ukraine on drone development. “If we were at war, I dare hope we wouldn’t be producing like this,” he warned, addressing both the country and its defence industry.
To accelerate rearmament, he called for “an additional effort of 36 billion euros”, including “3.5 billion euros as early as 2026”, as part of an update to France’s military programming law.
He said the nation must make efforts “commensurate with our harsh times”.
Sources: Le Monde
