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France 24
France 24
National
FRANCE 24

Macron says France has fulfilled 'commitment to rearm' in annual speech to military

Cover image: French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his traditional address to the armed forces on the eve of the Bastille Day parade at the Ministry of Defense in Paris on July 13, 2026. © Thomas Padilla, via Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron said France has fulfilled its "commitment to rearm" on Monday during his annual speech to the military services – his last as president – on the eve of the French July 14 national holiday.

The increase in defence budgets since Macron took office in 2017 with a focus on France’s “rearmament” is a “commitment that has been fulfilled”, the president stated Monday in his traditional address to the armed forces.

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