Key facts
- France's 2027 defense budget will be €63.4 billion, an increase from €57 billion in 2026.
- About 12% of the defense budget will be dedicated to nuclear deterrence.
- 43% of the defense budget will go towards purchasing and maintaining military equipment.
- The government plans additional orders for major equipment including surface-to-air defense systems, anti-drone systems, and artificial intelligence.
- The defense budget will have doubled under President Emmanuel Macron's two terms.
- France aims for a deficit target of 5% of GDP for 2027.
France is set to increase its defense budget to €63.4 billion in 2027, a rise from €57 billion in the current year, despite facing significant fiscal pressures. The government plans to present this budget later on Thursday. This increase aligns with the military planning law adopted over the summer and aims to bolster France's military capabilities through new orders for major equipment, including surface-to-air defense systems, anti-drone systems, and artificial intelligence.
The defense ministry is one of the few government departments to receive a budget increase for 2027, as most other ministerial budgets are set to be frozen at their 2026 levels. The government has confirmed a deficit target of 5% of GDP for the upcoming year. Under President Emmanuel Macron's leadership, the defense budget will have doubled since he first took office in 2017.