How the French armies are preparing for high

Within the framework of updating the Military Programming Law (LPM), the French armies are preparing for a possible major engagement by 2030. The ministry is investing over 12 billion euros (out of the planned 36 billion) in the purchase of ammunition (shells and missiles), the operational readiness of soldiers, and ground engagement. The bill for this update will be debated in the council of ministers this Wednesday.

Between priorities and renunciations. As part of the update of the Military Programming Law (LPM), which covers the period 2024-2030, the Ministry of the Armies has had to make strong choices, which also involve strong renunciations. Among these renunciations is the postponement of the expansion of the size of the armies and their military equipment to the next LPM, as well as the halt of programs like the European MALE drone (Eurodrone) and the Patroller drone (Safran). Clearly, mass will have to wait. However, in this update, the Hôtel de Brienne has chosen to prioritize the strengthening of the current model, giving the armies the means to be operational as quickly as possible.

In essence, they need to be ready for a possible high-intensity conflict by 2030, which could involve them. In the short term, the ministry will notably invest slightly more than planned in the protection of forces with ground-to-air defense systems and anti-drone warfare (almost two billion) as well as in electromagnetic warfare (+400 million). They will also push for the modernization of the army model around drones, including teleoperated munitions but also deep strike capabilities. The means are there. In 2026, the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) will order nearly 31 billion euros of equipment (compared to 20 billion in 2025 and 14 billion in 2024) outside of deterrence.

Munitions and operational readiness To be ready, the ministry will order an additional 8.5 billion euros of ammunition (missiles, shells) between 2026 and 2030 (+53%) compared to the initial plan. In total, they will spend over 26 billion euros during the LPM period. Unprecedented for this sector, which has often been the adjustable variable between 1997 and 2017. Between 2024 and 2030, the stocks of various munitions will significantly increase: +400% for teleoperated munitions, +240% for the AASM guided bomb (Safran), +230% for MU90 torpedoes (Naval Group and Leonardo) and F21 (Naval Group), +190% for 155 mm shells (KNDS France), +100% for Exocet sea-to-sea missiles (MBDA), +85% for Scalp and MdCN missiles (MBDA)…

The Ministry of the Armies is also making an effort of around two billion euros in the operational readiness of the armies, who must train more and more realistically to anticipate the hardening and brutality of high-intensity conflicts. Thanks to the experience gained from various conflicts, the armies will massively invest in body armor, simulation tools, drones of all kinds, and spare parts in sufficient quantities. The soldiers’ operational readiness will logically benefit from the effort made in increasing the stocks of munitions, including training ammunition. The soldiers will fire a lot more, which is also not a luxury at the moment.

To better prepare for the requirements of a major engagement, the ministry will increase its efforts (+1.7 billion euros) for the army in terms of fire support, force protection, specialized support, and logistics: strengthening the connectivity of the army corps with 4000 portable radios or additional vehicle radios, developing cooperative capabilities between helicopters and drones, teleoperated munitions, additional acquisition of 41 CAESAR NG artillery cannons to be delivered by 2035, accelerating deliveries of Serval drones for anti-drone combat, electronic warfare, and very short-range air defense (Mistral).