France has approved the defense budget for 2026, reaching the sum of 57.1 billion euros. Military spending has increased by 13%.

The French Senate adopted the defense budget for 2026 on Thursday, which provides for a significant increase in military spending, reaching 57.1 billion euros, a 13% increase compared to the previous year. The vote was favored by a large majority, including both right-wing senators and socialists, while the communists opposed it, and the greens abstained. The budget includes an additional 3.5 billion euros under the Military Programming Law 2024-2030.

During the debates, senators highlighted the deterioration of the international situation, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and tensions with the American administration. However, some senators warned that the budget increase does not guarantee an effective defense policy. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who does not have a solid majority in the National Assembly, proposed organizing additional debates to gain support for the state budget.