France Introduces New Voluntary Military Service Amid European Rearmament

France Unveils New Voluntary Military Service

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on November 27, 2025, the introduction of a new voluntary military service, marking a significant shift in the nation's defense strategy. The program, which will commence gradually in the summer of 2026, aims to bolster France's armed forces and national resilience.

The new service will span 10 months and primarily target young adults aged 18 and 19. While the majority of recruits will fall into this age bracket, candidates up to 25 years old with specialized skills will also be considered. Volunteers will serve exclusively on national soil, with no deployment to overseas military operations.

Initial recruitment will see 3,000 volunteers in the summer of 2026, with ambitious plans to increase this number to 10,000 annually by 2030, and ultimately to 50,000 recruits each year by 2035. Participants will hold military status, receiving pay, uniforms, and equipment. Following a one-month training period, they will be assigned to units for nine months, undertaking missions similar to those of active military personnel. President Macron also indicated that in the event of a major crisis, parliament could authorize making military service mandatory.

Germany's Model and Evolving European Defense

France's move follows a model similar to Germany's approach to military service. Germany suspended its mandatory conscription on July 1, 2011, after it had been in place since 1956/1957, transitioning to an army composed of professional and volunteer soldiers. While the German constitution retains provisions for reintroducing conscription during times of tension or war, the current system relies on voluntary service, which can last up to 23 months for both men and women.

In June 2024, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new selective military service model designed to address personnel shortages. This model involves sending questionnaires to all 18-year-old men and women to gauge their interest and suitability for service, with completion being mandatory for men. Selected individuals may then undergo medical examinations and opt for a basic military service of six months or commit for up to 23 months on a voluntary basis. Pistorius has also cautioned that compulsory military service could be reinstated if voluntary recruitment targets are not met, with a new military service bill potentially coming into force as early as January 2026.

Broader European Rearmament Context

The introduction of France's voluntary military service is set against a backdrop of increasing defense spending and rearmament across Europe. This trend has accelerated significantly since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. European NATO members' defense spending in 2024 was reportedly 50% higher than in 2014.

The European Union collectively spent an estimated €343 billion ($402 billion) on defense in 2024, marking a 19% increase over the previous year. In March 2025, the European Commission proposed the ReArm Europe plan, later rebranded as Readiness 2030, aiming to mobilize up to €800 billion to strengthen the continent's defense capabilities. This plan includes provisions to allow member states to increase public defense spending by up to 1.5% of GDP without it impacting national deficit calculations, potentially freeing up an additional €650 billion over four years for defense. These efforts underscore a growing commitment among European nations to enhance their security and reduce reliance on external allies amidst evolving geopolitical threats.