Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

France to invest in drones and space, in €413 billion military budget

France to invest in drones and space, in €413 billion military budget

The French military is to be set at €413 billion over the next seven years.

A year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, France's government presented the new Military Programming Budget (LPM) on Tuesday, which shows an increase of €100 billion compared with the previous seven-year budget.

"This LPM is an unprecedented increase in the defence budget," said Sébastien Lecornu, Frances Minister of the Armed Forces, who admitted that certain programmes took priority over others.

The increased spending plans are justified by "the very rapid deterioration of the geopolitical context" marked by the war in Ukraine, but also "the appearance of numerous technological leaps which have a cost," the ministry said.

The aim is to deal with "operational emergencies", particularly in terms of drones and anti-drone warfare, one of the weaknesses of the French military system revealed by the war in Ukraine, but also to cushion the effects of inflation.

And despite a clear increase in resources, not all the planned needs will be met.

"Some equipment may not arrive in as large a number as expected by 2030."


Scorpion programme suffers


The Scorpion programme to renew the army's armoured component with interconnected vehicles will bear the brunt of budget and procurement decisions.

A French VBMR-L "Serval" (Vehicule Blinde Multirole-Leger / Light Multirole Armoured Vehicle).


There will be about a hundred fewer Jaguars armoured vehicles in 2030 compared with the 300 initially planned; and the delivery of "a few hundred" Griffon and Seval armoured vehicles will be postponed until after 2030 -- instead the lifecycle of VAB and AMX-10RC vehicles will be extended, of which a few dozen have been promised to Ukraine.

Similarly, the deliveries of 42 Rafale fighter aircraft planned between 2027 and 2030 have been delayed until 2032. In 2030, the Air Force will have 137 Rafales against an initial target of 185.

Meanwhile the French Navy will only be able to count on three of the five defence and intervention frigates it should have in 2030.

Programmes linked to nuclear deterrence or the timetable for delivery of the next generation aircraft carrier in 2038, will be maintained.

French soldiers from the 1st Regiment Marines Infantry (RIMA) practice shooting with a tank AMX 10RC.


In the space sector, which is marked by growing conflict, Paris will finance studies on the next generation of Celeste electromagnetic intelligence satellites and the successor to the Yoda patrol satellite programme, designed to keep curious spacecraft away from French satellites.

The third Syracuse IV communications satellite has been abandoned.

As a result of the lessons learned in Ukraine, Paris also wants to increase its efforts on ammunition and artillery with Caesar guns and the replacement in 2027 of unitary rocket launchers (LRU) by American Himars or a European solution. "This topic is not decided", according to the ministry.

The LPM also provides for the financing of the Future Air Combat System (Scaf) demonstrator and studies on the future Franco-German MGCS tank.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Historic Papal Conclave Set to Commence in Rome
“Trump Supporter” Aims to Bring a MAGA-Style Shift to Romania
Common Sense Returns to Britain's Legal System: UK Supreme Court Declares a Woman Is… a Woman
EU Hits TikTok with €530 Million Fine Over China Data Transfers
Beijing Says U.S. Is ‘Reaching Out’ for Tariff Talks Amid Soaring Trade Tensions
Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO After Nearly 60 Years
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
Germany's Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has now been officially labeled “right-wing extremist” by the federal office for the so-called “protection of the constitution.”
Amazon Launches Satellite Internet Service Amidst Competition with SpaceX
Transformative Changes in Women's Wrestling: The Rise of WWE Superstars
The Rush to the White Gold: Global Investment Surge in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
This is a day in Spain without electricity and internet
Trump Administration Removes National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Amid Signal Chat Controversy
U.S. Economy Shrink in Trump’s First Quarter as Tariff Policy Raises Questions
U.S. and Ukraine Poised to Sign Strategic Critical Minerals Deal Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Spain Restores Power After Unprecedented Nationwide Blackout
Liverpool Clinches Record-Equalling 20th English League Title Under Arne Slot
How do you fix this culture?
Corrupted from Within: How Deep State Power and Unelected Judges Hijacked Democracy Against the Will of the People
President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky just held an impromptu discussion on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral in Rome.
World Leaders Gather in Rome for Pope Francis's Funeral
Pope Francis Laid to Rest in Rome as World Leaders Attend Funeral
Not Child’s Play: How Competitive Gaming Became a Global Economic Empire
California Surpasses Japan to Become the World’s Fourth-Largest Economy
Peter Navarro: The Man Behind Trump’s Tariff Madness
Former U.S. Congressman George Santos sentenced to eighty-seven months for wide-ranging fraud
Pope Francis: head of the Catholic church who pushed for social and economic justice
China do not pay these tariffs - you pay it. This is new 145% tax you pay to the US government.
Cultural Battles in the Vatican: The Candidates in the Battle for the Holy See and Pope Francis's Testament
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
Wild Chimpanzees Observed Bonding Over Alcoholic Fruit
Greek Christians Celebrate Easter in Thessaloníki
US Federal Reserve Chair Issues Warning on Tariff Impact
China, China, China!
Pope Francis Makes Brief Appearance at Easter Sunday Mass
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
Trump is assembling a coalition of Western leaders aligned with the MAGA vision, strengthening a unified front for global change
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Alphabet Faces Antitrust Setbacks as Federal Judges Rule Against Google
US Billionaires Call for Higher Taxes, but Proposed 'Millionaires Tax' May Not Achieve Desired Outcome
This is Vienna, Austria in 2025.
Designed in US, made in China: Why Apple is stuck in tariff tussle
Boeing Jet Returns to US from China Amid Tariff War
US Sets Deadline for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Brokerage
Italy Introduces 'Sex Rooms' in Prisons for Inmates
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Meets with Donald Trump to Discuss EU-US Trade Tensions
South East Asia Caught in US-China Trade Dispute
Ukraine and US Sign Outline of Minerals Deal
U.S. and Panama Finalize Defense Agreements Amid Canal Access and Chinese Influence Concerns
×