France will increase its military spending by an additional €6.5 billion over the next two years amid rising global threats. French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement on Sunday.

Speaking in his traditional Bastille Day address to military leaders at the Hotel de Brienne in Paris, Macron said France aims to reach an annual defence budget of €64 billion by 2027 — double the €32 billion spent annually in 2017 when he first took office.

Calling the increase a “new and historic effort,” Macron said it is “proportionate, credible and essential” to meet today’s security challenges.

The president urged intensified efforts to protect Europe, citing threats including Russia’s war in Ukraine, terrorism, online attacks, and misinformation campaigns targeting young people.

“Since 1945, freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously,” Macron said. “To be free in this world we must be feared. To be feared we must be powerful.”

Despite efforts to reduce public debt, Macron insisted France can find the resources to boost defence spending. The plan has support from conservative and far-right parties, while some on the left criticise it for risking social welfare gains.

Macron also ordered France’s military and defence officials to begin a “strategic dialogue” with European partners on the role of France’s nuclear arsenal in Europe’s security. France recently agreed with Britain to strengthen cooperation on nuclear issues amid growing Russian threats.

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