French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that thousands of volunteers aged 18 and 19 will begin serving in the military next year, as he unveiled a new program aimed at strengthening France’s armed forces in response to growing concerns over Russia’s threat to European countries.
The young volunteers will serve in uniform for 10 months, exclusively within French territory, and will not be deployed in foreign military operations, Macron clarified in a speech at the Varces military base in the French Alps.
“A new national service will be gradually established, starting next summer,” Macron said.
“In this uncertain world where power prevails over law and war remains a constant reality, our nation has no right to fear, panic, unpreparedness, or division,” he added.
The program will begin with 3,000 young volunteers selected next summer, and will gradually expand to 10,000 per year by 2030. France aims to reach 50,000 volunteers annually by 2035, a number that may be adjusted depending on global security developments, Macron explained.
Volunteers will hold military status and receive pay and equipment. After one month of training, they will be assigned for nine months to a military unit, where they will carry out the same duties as active personnel, according to the French president.
