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Defense budget of France (2020 - 2028, USD billion)

Industry: Aerospace, Defense and Space
Current: Macro-economic

The Defense budget of France attained a value of USD 60.50 billion in 2023
The indicator recorded a historical growth (CAGR) of 4.76% between...
GlobalData projects the indicator to grow at a CAGR of...

Defense budget of France (2020 - 2028, USD billion)

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France defense budget analysis

Bolstering France’s defense spending is part of President Macron’s framework of strategic autonomy. Maintaining a modernized and combat-ready defense force is a key priority in improving national security to hedge against terrorist threats both at home and during peacekeeping operations as well as during a period of strategic competition with a rising China and Russia. Modernizing platforms to hedge against uncertain factors that destabilizes the existing security and government push for investment in innovation will drive future defense spending. A recent example is the December 2020 presidential announcement for a next generation aircraft carrier program to replace the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier by 2038, alongside major maritime programs such as the Barracuda-class submarine and the next generation ballistic missile submarine (SNLE 3G).

The land fleet for combat and mobility is slated for complete refurbishment with incoming deliveries under the SCORPION program, new frigates and submarines are being constructed to replace legacy platforms, and fresh investments are starting to pour into the Franco-German SCAF program, developing the next-generation air combat system. Acquisition will likely remain a large portion of France’s budget in the near future.

France’s defense policy under President Macron’s vision of strategic autonomy also refers to building and maintain a full-spectrum military that can navigate all domains of warfare without the need to depend on a great power ally such as the United States and to develop a framework for regional European defense.

France was part of the original group of countries that came together to form a military bloc to counter soviet military influence within Europe. France, intending to pursue an independent defense system that was separate from the unified NATO command, withdrew from the NATO's integrated military command in 1966. However, the country returned to full participation status on April 3, 2009, and has been a key NATO member state ever since.