France plans 36 billion euro boost to rearmament, nuclear deterrent expansion

French Defence and Veterans Minister Catherine Vautrin listens to a government statement before a debate on the situation in the Middle East at the National Assembly in Paris, France, March 25, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

PARIS, April 8 (Reuters) - France plans ⁠to add a further 36 billion euros ($39 billion) to its defence spending between now and 2030 under an updated ⁠military planning law that expands its nuclear arsenal and boosts missile and drone stocks.

The increase, proposed despite ‌one of the euro zone's biggest budget deficits, reflects mounting security pressures from wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and growing uncertainty over U.S. commitments to NATO under President Donald Trump.