On November 27, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron stood before the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade in Varces, nestled in the French Alps, and delivered a speech that could mark a turning point in France’s modern defense policy. Against a backdrop of growing anxiety over Russia’s posture in Europe and shifting priorities among NATO allies, Macron announced the launch of a new voluntary military service program for 18- and 19-year-olds, set to begin by mid-2026. The move, he said, was “inspired by practices of our European partners... at a time when all our European allies advance in response to a threat that weighs on us all,” according to reporting from DW and the Associated Press.
This new initiative, which Macron described as a “significant and necessary effort,” will begin with 3,000 young volunteers in its first year, ramping up to 10,000 annually by 2030, with an ambitious long-term goal of 50,000 per year by 2035. The volunteers will don uniforms and serve exclusively within France’s mainland and overseas territories—never in foreign combat zones. After a one-month training period, they’ll be assigned to military units for nine months, performing the same duties as regular soldiers. Upon completion, these young people will join the military reserve, with the freedom to pursue further education, civilian jobs, or even a professional military career if they choose.
Macron was clear that this program does not mark a return to conscription, which France abolished in 1996. He emphasized, “Conscription is not being considered,” but did note that under truly exceptional circumstances, parliament could authorize mandatory service for certain individuals identified during a one-day defense course—a rite of passage for all French youth. “In this uncertain world where power prevails over law and war is an ever-present reality, our nation has no right to fear, panic, unpreparedness, or division,” Macron declared, as quoted by AP.
The program comes with a price tag of over 2 billion euros ($2.32 billion), part of a broader surge in French defense spending. Macron recently announced an extra 6.5 billion euros ($7.6 billion) for the armed forces over the next two years. By 2027, France aims to reach 64 billion euros in annual defense expenditure—double the 32 billion euros spent when Macron first took office in 2017. The defense budget for 2026-2030 has been crafted to accommodate these new priorities, with special provisions for the national service scheme.
France’s military currently boasts around 200,000 active personnel and over 40,000 reservists, making it the second largest force in the European Union, just behind Poland. But the government’s sights are set even higher: the goal is to expand the number of reservists to 80,000 (with some reports citing 100,000) by 2030. This expansion, Macron argues, is essential in a world where “Russia’s war in Ukraine puts the European continent at great risk.”
The sense of urgency is shared by France’s top military brass. General Fabien Mandon, the new army chief of staff, did not mince words last week when he warned that France must prepare itself for the possibility of “losing its children” in a future conflict with Russia. His stark assessment—“Unfortunately, Russia today, based on the information I have access to, is preparing for a confrontation with our countries by 2030. It is organizing itself for this, it is preparing for this, and it is convinced that its existential enemy is NATO”—sparked an outcry across the political spectrum, as reported by multiple outlets including AP and DW.
Macron, for his part, sought to cool the political temperature, telling RTL radio that France must “absolutely, immediately” reject the notion that it plans to send young people to Ukraine. He insisted that the new program is about readiness and resilience at home, not foreign entanglements. Still, the debate underscored the gravity of the moment for France and its allies.
Retired General Jean-Paul Paloméros, former head of the French Air Force, acknowledged the challenges ahead. “It’s good, it’s a difficult path,” he told the Associated Press. “But nevertheless I think it was needed somewhere to make sure that the young generations understand that freedom and peace are not taken for granted and it doesn’t come as a free lunch.” He also cautioned that training thousands of young volunteers could stretch the military’s resources thin, a concern echoed by others in France’s defense establishment.
France is not alone in this renewed emphasis on military preparedness. Across Europe, countries are scrambling to bolster their defenses in response to what many see as an increasingly unpredictable Russia. Germany is working to attract more recruits through a new voluntary military service program, though the plan still awaits parliamentary approval. Belgium’s defense minister recently sent letters to 17-year-olds, encouraging them to consider military service next year, with a pilot program set to select 500 candidates aged 18 to 25. Poland, meanwhile, has begun rolling out a voluntary military training track, with the goal of training 100,000 volunteers annually by 2027. Like France, Poland is not restoring universal conscription but is focused on building a robust reserve force.
At least ten EU countries currently maintain some form of compulsory military service—Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, and Sweden—while Norway, though not an EU member, requires service for both men and women. The duration of service varies widely, from as little as two months in Croatia to as many as 19 months in Norway.
France’s new program is designed to offer flexibility and opportunity for its young volunteers. After their 10-month stint, participants can integrate back into civilian life, continue their studies, or leverage their experience to pursue a military career. The government hopes that this approach will not only strengthen the country’s defense posture but also foster a greater sense of civic duty among young people.
As Europe faces what many leaders describe as its most serious security challenge since the Cold War, Macron’s announcement is both a signal of intent and a call to action. The voluntary service program is a bet that France’s youth are ready to step up—if given the chance and the means to do so.
Whether this new initiative will meet its ambitious targets, or whether it will inspire similar moves in other countries, remains to be seen. For now, France is sending a clear message: in a world where peace can no longer be taken for granted, it pays to be prepared.