Macron announces new French voluntary military service

President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a new national military service plan Thursday as France seeks to bolster its armed forces to address growing concerns over Russia’s threat to European nations beyond the war in Ukraine.

1news.media reports, citing AP, Macron announced that volunteers aged 18 and 19 will start serving next year in a 10-month new military service program.

“A new national service is set to be gradually established, starting from next summer,” Macron said in a speech at the Varces military base, in the French Alps.

Young volunteers will serve in France’s mainland and oversea territories only, not in France’s military operations abroad, Macron said.

Earlier this year, Macron announced his intention to provide French youth with a new option to voluntarily serve in the military. Conscription, which France ended in 1996, is not being considered. He explained then that France seeks to boost its defenses as Russia’s war in Ukraine puts the European continent at “great risk.”