Macron Says France Will Spend Additional $7.6 Billion on Military

The spending plans come amid a push for European countries to increase their own defense spending.

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to the army leaders at the Hotel le Brienne ahead of the Bastille Day parade in Paris on July 13, 2025. Ludovic Marin, Pool Photo via AP

French President Emmanuel Macron said on July 13 that France will allocate an additional 6.5 billion euros ($7.6 billion) in defense spending to accelerate its rearmament in response to new security threats.

In a speech delivered on the eve of France’s national holiday, Bastille Day, Macron said Europe is facing a mix of persistent and emerging threats, ranging from Islamist terrorism and cyberattacks to the Russia–Ukraine war on NATO’s doorstep.