FRANCE is set to ramp up its army in preparation for a Russian invasion, with volunteers facing 10-months deployment for a £9k pay packet.
The former colonial superpower joins the growing list of European countries taking steps to boost their militaries in response to Russia’s WW3 threat.
French President Emmanuel Macron attends the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 22, 2025Credit: Getty
In an effort to counter Russia’s WW3 threat, volunteers will be paid up to £8,800 (€10,000) to join the 10-month programmeCredit: Getty
French soldiers line up as they wait for the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy this monthCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce a plan to bolster France’s army tomorrow, in an overhaul of its current four-week national service scheme.
In an effort to counter Russia’s WW3 threat, volunteers will be paid up to £8,800 (€10,000) to join the 10-month programme.
The hope is reservist numbers will grow by up to 50,000 each year and address the “hybrid confrontation” waged by Moscow.
Conscription in France was scrapped in 1996.
It does not mean French people will be sent to fight in Ukraine, Macron assured the country.
“We really need to, right now, dispel any misconception that we’re going to send our young people to Ukraine,” he said.
“That’s not at all what this is about.”
In March, if the US was no longer by their side.
“We have to be united and determined to protect ourselves,” Macron said at the time.
Macron delivered the steely speech that warned of a “new era” amid the ongoing turmoil of .
He boldly announced that France could gear up its nuclear deterrent to protect the continent under
It comes as France’s army chief-of-staff General Fabien Mandon .
“We have the know-how, and we have the economic and demographic strength to dissuade the regime in Moscow,” he said last week.
“What we are lacking…is the spirit. The spirit which accepts that we will have to suffer if we are to protect what we are.
An overhaul of French national service will hopefully bolster soldier numbersCredit: Getty
“If our country wavers because it is not ready to lose its children … or to suffer economically because the priority has to be military production, then we are indeed at risk.”
Criticised by some as warmongering, Mandon went on to say that Russia was “preparing for a confrontation by 2030 with our countries”.
The remarks triggered an immediate outcry across the political spectrum, reviving painful memories of France’s First and Second World War losses and deepening tensions inside President Macron’s government.
Europe is gearing up
Earlier this month, .
The German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, need to recruit another 80,000 professional troops to hit Nato’s target strength of 260,000.
The country has stopped short of reintroducing mandatory conscription, but hopes boosting numbers will give potential recruits more insight into military life.
Germany’s reserve can currently draw from around 34,000 “active” members.
But it now faces a dramatic overhaul, as military planners estimate the number will ultimately have to rise to 200,000 amid soaring tensions with Russia.
Conscription schemes across Europe
- Latvia reintroduced compulsory military service for male citizens aged 18–27 in 2023, though it currently relies on voluntary enlistment to meet its goals.
- Sweden reintroduced gender-neutral mandatory conscription in 2017, which requires all citizens turning 18 to apply, though a high selection rate means only a small percentage are chosen.
- Lithuania has mandatory military service for males aged 18-23, who are chosen through a random lottery system for a nine month service.
- Germany will mandate all 18-year-old men to fill out a questionnaire on their ability to serve.
- Austrian males aged 18 and over are subject to compulsory military or alternative civilian service. Male citizens can choose between six months of military service or nine months of alternative civilian service, which may be with certain NGOs.
- Denmark is one of only a few European nations to require women to perform military service. Both men and women could be called for 11 months of service in a lottery system.
- Switzerland has mandatory military service for able-bodied male citizens, which begins with recruit school and is followed by periodic refresher courses until around age 35.
- Greek military service is mandatory for all male citizens aged 19–45, with a service length of 9 to 12 months depending on the posting.
- Military service in Turkey is compulsory for all male citizens from ages 20 to 41, lasting 6 or 12 months depending on education level.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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