France preparing 'war economy' with major arms buildup
France plans to quadruple kamikaze drone stocks and drastically expand missile arsenals by 2030 as part of preparations for a 'war economy' according to a draft military planning law.
France is preparing to transition to a 'war economy' according to a draft military planning law obtained by Politico. The 64-page document, set to be presented by the government next week, outlines plans to quadruple kamikaze drone stocks and dramatically expand missile arsenals by 2030, focusing on munitions rather than expanding the armed forces themselves.
The draft law specifies targeted increases: loitering munitions like kamikaze drones will grow by 400%, Safran-made AASM Hammer guided bombs by 240%, and Aster and Mica missiles by 30% by the end of the decade. This effort responds to the depletion of Western arms stocks seen in the Ukraine and Middle East conflicts, with investment directed toward 'co-financing of priority production capacities'.
Total defense spending will rise steadily from €63.3 billion in 2027 to €76.3 billion by 2030, though it will require fresh parliamentary approval each year. Notably, France does not plan to increase its armed forces size or acquire major additional equipment like Rafale aircraft or frigates, and has shelved the joint Eurodrone program with Germany, Italy, and Spain.
This plan aligns with President Emmanuel Macron's push for 'strategic autonomy' to make France and its European allies less dependent on American weapons. Macron recently stated he doesn't want Paris 'to be the vassals of two hegemonic powers,' referring to the US and China. Moscow has criticized these preparations, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accusing NATO of openly preparing for war against Russia.
