France brings back limited military service with 3,000 volunteers next year

Key quote

“The only way to avoid danger is to prepare for it,” says President Emmanuel Macron.

Policy overview

France is reintroducing a form of limited, voluntary military service aimed primarily at young people. The programme starts with 3,000 volunteers in the first year and is planned to expand gradually over the next decade.

Scale and timeline

About 3,000 participants will be recruited in the first year of the scheme.
The government’s long‑term objective is to reach around 50,000 volunteers by the mid‑2030s.
The initiative complements France’s existing professional army of roughly 200,000 active personnel and tens of thousands of reservists.

Structure of the armed forces

The reform is designed to create a three‑layered model of the armed forces: professional soldiers, reservists, and short‑term volunteers. Military officials hope this will build a sizeable pool of trained people who can assist regular troops and take over support or non‑combat tasks when needed.

European context

French leaders link the move to rising security concerns in Europe, including fears over Russian aggression. Other European states, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, have already introduced or expanded voluntary service schemes, and Germany is considering similar steps.

Author’s summary

France is cautiously rebuilding voluntary military service to strengthen defence and reserves, starting with 3,000 young volunteers and targeting tens of thousands more amid growing European security fears.

BBC — 2025-11-27