France is set to reinstate voluntary military service, responding to the escalating threat from Russia. President Emmanuel Macron will formally announce this decision during a visit to an infantry brigade in southeastern France on October 5, 2023. This marks a significant shift in military policy, nearly thirty years after conscription was abolished in the country.
The announcement comes as Europe faces ongoing security concerns stemming from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began over three and a half years ago. Macron and other French officials have voiced worries that Russia may not limit its ambitions to Ukraine. Fabien Mandon, the chief of staff of the French armed forces, recently drew attention for his stark warning that France must prepare for potential losses among its youth, asserting that Russia is gearing up for a confrontation with European nations by 2030.
During an interview with RTL, Macron indicated that the transformation of national service would be unveiled soon. While specific details remain undisclosed, sources suggest that the initial plan aims to train between 2,000 and 3,000 recruits in the first year, with aspirations to eventually increase that number to 50,000 annually.
Macron emphasized the importance of demonstrating strength in light of the perceived threat from Russia. “If we want to protect ourselves, we must show that we are not weak against the power that threatens us the most,” he stated.
Military Service Trends in Europe
The revival of voluntary military service in France aligns it with other European nations, particularly the Baltic states of Latvia and Lithuania, which have reinstated similar measures in recent years. Meanwhile, countries like Denmark have tightened their military service requirements, calling up both young men and women through a lottery system.
Military service can bolster national defense by providing a steady influx of recruits while also creating a large pool of potential reservists. Currently, the French armed forces comprise approximately 200,000 active personnel and 47,000 reservists, with plans to increase these figures to 210,000 and 80,000 respectively by 2030. General Pierre Schill, chief of staff of the French land army, noted that voluntary mobilization could help meet the necessary manpower for future conflicts.
There are no indications that the reinstated military service will become compulsory, which had been the case before former President Jacques Chirac abolished conscription in 1997 as part of military reforms.
Controversy Surrounds Military Readiness Comments
General Mandon’s comments regarding the risks to young people have sparked controversy, particularly among left-leaning factions in France, who have accused him of war-mongering. Despite the backlash, he has stood by his remarks, stating they were intended to raise awareness and prepare the nation for a “rapidly deteriorating” security context.
According to France’s National Strategic Review for 2025, the country must prepare for the possibility of high-intensity conflict in its neighborhood by 2027 to 2030. This aligns with an expected rise in hybrid attacks on French territory.
In response to the public’s reaction to Mandon’s statement, he acknowledged that there may be a lack of understanding among the population regarding the current security landscape. Ahead of the announcement, Macron and other officials clarified that the focus of Mandon’s remarks was on the sacrifices made by the armed forces, emphasizing that there are no immediate plans to deploy French youth to the front lines. “We are not going to send our young people to Ukraine,” Macron affirmed, adding that Mandon’s comments had been taken out of context.
As France prepares to reinstate voluntary military service, the country aims to bolster its defense capabilities while navigating the complex landscape of European security in a time of heightened tensions.
