President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (November 27) announced the creation of a new voluntary youth military service to begin by mid-2026, which would help France respond to accelerating threats on the global stage.

The move is part of a broader shift across Europe, where nations who have long enjoyed the decades-long tranquillity of U.S. security guarantees are fretting about President Donald Trump's shifting priorities and Russia's aggressive posture.

"This is a major asset, on the military, moral, civic and republican front. This is an act of trust on our youth," Macron said during a speech at the base of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade in Varces, in the French Alps.

Macron said the voluntary scheme will be open to 18 and 19-year-olds, who would be paid, and would last 10 months. It will cost 2 billion euros ($2.32 billion), which he called "a significant and necessary effort."

The scheme envisages engaging 3,000 people in 2026, who will only ever serve on French soil, rising to 10,000 by 2030.

"My ambition for France is to reach 50,000 youth by 2035. This will be adjusted based on the evolution of threats," Macron said.

After the program, participants could integrate into civilian life, become a reservist, or stay in the armed forces, he said.

Macron's announcement brings France in line with nearly a dozen other European nations like Germany and Denmark who have launched similar projects.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VARCES-ALLIERES-ET-RISSET, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 27, 2025) (AGENCY POOL – Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SPEAKING WITH AND GREETING MILITARY OFFICIALS

2. VARIOUS OF MACRON WALKING TOWARD TROOPS

3. VARIOUS OF MILITARY BAND PLAYING FRENCH NATIONAL ANTHEM

4. VARIOUS OF MACRON REVIEWING TROOPS FROM MOUNTAIN INFANTRY BRIGADE

5. FRENCH FLAG BEING HOISTED ON POLE AS NATIONAL ANTHEM PLAYS/ ALPINE MOUNTAINS IN BACKGROUND

6. MACRON ARRIVING FOR SPEECH

7. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“A new national (military) service will progressively be put in place starting next summer. This service pursues three precise goals: strengthen the pact binding our nation and our army, strengthen our nation’s resistance capacity, consolidate the education of our youth.”

8. MACRON SPEAKING

9. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“I want to insist on the fact that the national service will only concern volunteers, and the heart of it will be composed of youth aged 18 to 19 years old.”

10. SOLDIERS FROM MOUNTAIN INFANTRY BRIGADE STANDING ON STAGE

11. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“This is a major asset, on the military, moral, civic and republican front. This is an act of trust on our youth.”

12. SOLDIERS STANDING ON STAGE

13. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“Let me say this clearly – our youth will serve on national territory and only on national territory, meaning on the mainland and in our overseas territories. The national service is about the national territory, since it’s about mobilisation to defend ourselves. And I wish for this application on national territory to be prescribed by law.”

14. MACRON SPEAKING

15. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“This national service can only be meaningful if it is widely implemented. The national service will start in the summer of 2026, and we will progressively increase the number of participants – 3,000 youth will be chosen for the national service in the summer of 2026, and the batches will progressively increase to reach 10,000 youth involved by 2030. My ambition for France is to reach 50,000 youth by 2035. This will be adjusted based on the evolution of threats.”

16. SOLDIERS STANDING ON STAGE

17. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:

“In this world that is uncertain where force rules over law, war is a present-day reality. Our nation could not afford fear, panic, lack of preparedness or division. And fear never prevents danger – the only way to avoid it is to prepare for it.”

18. MACRON AND MILITARY STAFF SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEM 'LA MARSEILLAISE'

19. MACRON WALKING TOWARD AUDIENCE AT END OF SPEECH

20. MILITARY STAFF GATHERED AFTER SPEECH