France is set to reintroduce a voluntary form of military service as fears of a possible confrontation with Russia grow across Europe. More than 25 years after ending conscription, President Emmanuel Macron announced a new programme that will offer young men and women 10 months of paid military training.
Speaking at an infantry base near Grenoble, Macron said the country must prepare for increasing global threats: “The only way to avoid danger is to be ready for it.” The new national service initiative will mainly target 18- and 19-year-olds, who will receive at least €800 (£700) per month.
The rollout will begin next summer with a limited group of 3,000 volunteers, but France aims to expand the number to 50,000 participants by 2035. With around 200,000 active military personnel and 47,000 reservists, this new system will create a three-tier structure of professional soldiers, reservists, and volunteers.
France joins other European nations reviving or expanding military service programmes due to concerns over Russian aggression. Belgium and the Netherlands have already introduced voluntary military service options, while Germany is preparing a similar plan. Lithuania and Latvia maintain mandatory service through lotteries, and Sweden—newly part of NATO—offers nine to fifteen months of service based on merit.
Meanwhile, countries like Finland and Greece continue to enforce traditional conscription, while Switzerland will soon vote on replacing mandatory male service with nationwide civic duty. The UK and Spain, however, currently have no plans to bring back military service.
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