France bulks up military with mega cash injection as budget soars to €41BN – up €1.7BN

AUKUS deal: Macron ‘looks ridiculous’ says Nigel Farage

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According to French journalist Vincent Lamigeon, the French leader announced the budget for the country’s defence and security will soar to 40.9 billion euros in 2022, with recruitment of 22,000 extra soldiers and 4,200 civilians. Government spokesman Hervé Grandjean said: “We recruit more than McDonald’s.” 

The French reporter tweeted: “Army budget 2022: 40.9 billion euros (+ 1.7bn € / 2021), an increase of 9 billion compared to 2017. Cumulative annual increases since 2017: 26 billion euros in all, according to spokesperson Hervé Grandjean.

“Deliveries 2022: 245 armored vehicles (Griffon, Jaguar …), 200 MMP , 8 NH90 Terre, 4 ATL-2, FREMM Alsace, 2nd SNA Barracuda, 3 MRTT, 2 A400M, 13 Mirage 2000D refurbished.

“Placement of three Ceres electromagnetic listening satellites, the first Syracuse 4 military telecoms satellite, and the third CSO optical satellite.

“26,200 recruitments in 2022, including 22,000 soldiers and 4,200 civilians. ‘We recruit more than McDonald’s,’ says Hervé Grandjean. Net creation of 450 jobs, 273,000 staff in all.”

The announcement comes just days after France was dealt a military blow by Australia after Canberra cancelled an order for French submarines worth $40 billion in favour of a security alliance with the US and the UK. 

Emmanuel Macron will hold a call with US President Joe Biden today in a first attempt to seek clarifications on the secret deal forged with the NATO allies.

Last week, France recalled its ambassadors from the United States and Australia.

Macron’s office said the President will expect “concrete measures” from the United States to restore trust.

They added that the French president expected Biden to recognise, during their call, that consultations with allies should have been held before the decision was made over the submarines, and that the United States had to recognise the need for European sovereignty.

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France’s decision to remove its ambassador from Washington was the first time Paris had acted in such a way.

The rare decision taken by French President Emmanuel Macron was made due to the “exceptional gravity” of the matter, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said last Friday.

On Tuesday, Germany joined France in berating the United States for negotiating the security pact in secret with Australia and Britain, while the EU’s top official said such behaviour was unacceptable.

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In the UK, Boris Johnson has dismissed French anger about the Australian submarines deal, insisting Emmanuel Macron should “get a grip”.

The Prime Minister used Franglais as he urged “some of our dearest friends” to calm down over the issue.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, the Prime Minister said: “I just think it’s time for some of our dearest friends around the world to prenez un grip (get a grip) about this and donnez-moi un break (give me a break).

“Because this is fundamentally a great step forward for global security. It’s three very like-minded allies standing shoulder-to-shoulder, creating a new partnership for the sharing of technology.

“It’s not exclusive. It’s not trying to shoulder anybody out. It’s not adversarial towards China, for instance.”

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