French President Emmanuel Macron revealed plans on Sunday to boost military spending by an extra €6.5 billion over the next two years.

In his speech, he emphasised the need to strengthen Europe’s defence and increase support for Ukraine amid Russia’s continued large-scale invasion.

President Emmanuel Macron stated that France is targeting €64 billion in annual defence spending by 2027, a figure that doubles the €32 billion allocated when he first took office in 2017.

“Since 1945, freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously,” Macron said during the French president’s traditional speech to the military on the eve of the Bastille Day national holiday. 

“To be free in this world, we must be feared. To be feared, we must be powerful,” he added.

Macron asserted that France can afford increased military spending, even while working to lower its national debt. Although conservatives and far-right parties generally support his push for stronger defence funding, left-wing groups have criticised the government for prioritising the military at the expense of social welfare, Euro News reports.

He also warned that Europe is confronting growing threats, from Russia’s war in Ukraine and Middle East conflicts to foreign-led disinformation efforts, including propaganda aimed at children.

Macron also directed France’s military and defence leadership to initiate a “strategic dialogue” with European partners on the possible role of France’s nuclear arsenal within Europe’s security framework. In a notable move, France and the UK recently agreed to enhance collaboration on nuclear defence.

His speech coincided with growing international focus on security, as US President Donald Trump is expected to make a statement about Russia on Monday, and the NATO Secretary-General heads to Washington for two days of discussions.