Macron, in final Bastille Day speech, says Europe will defend freedom 'at the price of blood if necessary'

A decade of rearmament

Emmanuel Macron delivered his tenth and final address to the French armed forces on Monday, 13 July 2026, using the occasion to frame his presidency's defence legacy. The speech, delivered from the Hôtel de Brienne in Paris, began more than 45 minutes behind schedule. Macron told assembled military leaders that the defence budget had doubled since he took office in 2017, rising from 32 billion euros to a projected 64 billion euros by 2027. France now spends 2.05% of GDP on defence under NATO criteria, exceeding the 2% target he set for 2025.

I announced to you that the defence budget would be increased, that commitments would be kept and that France and its armies would be worthy of their duties and responsibilities. The commitment has been kept, the facts are there and history will judge.

The president recalled that his relationship with the military began in tension. In July 2017, then-chief of defence staff General Pierre de Villiers publicly objected to planned budget cuts, telling the National Assembly defence committee, "I will not let myself be screwed like that." Macron replied that he took "no lessons" from anyone. De Villiers resigned five days later.

The updated military programming law

Parliament recently adopted an update to the military programming law, allocating 436 billion euros to the armed forces for the 2024–2030 period. The original plan had earmarked 400 billion euros; the revision adds 36 billion euros. Macron outlined three priorities: increasing ammunition stocks and operational readiness, additional resources to guarantee sovereignty, and reinforcing France's nuclear deterrent.

Before the Sahel descended into chaos, before the Near and Middle East caught fire, before war arrived on European soil, we had already begun our rearmament.

Despite the spending increases, Macron warned that industrial output remains insufficient. He said France is not producing drones, interceptors, munitions or missiles "fast enough or strongly enough," and urged defence contractors to take more risks without securing every order in advance. He noted that telling clients they will receive munitions in five, six or seven years will not sell solutions.

The coalition of volunteers summit

Later on Monday, Macron convened 37 leaders of the so-called coalition of volunteers in Paris, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Anglo-French-led group aims to provide long-term security guarantees for Ukraine once a ceasefire takes effect. This marks the 15th such meeting organised to coordinate military support for Kyiv, including the potential deployment of a multinational force, a sensitive point given the risk that European troops could become targets for Russian attacks.

The summit pursues three objectives: reinforcing Ukraine's air defence capabilities against Russian strikes, increasing pressure on Moscow through a new EU sanctions package, and projecting political and military unity among Kyiv's allies.

The 14 July parade

Tuesday's Bastille Day parade on the Champs-Élysées will, for the first time, feature nearly 500 international troops marching alongside French forces. The Élysée has described the edition as "historic," with the theme "the strategic rearmament of France and the strategic awakening of Europe." The parade is designed to project European cohesion and military strength at a moment of high geopolitical tension.

Yes, peace is our goal. Yes, we cherish freedom and the law. And yes, we stand ready to fight to defend them always, at the price of blood if necessary. This price of blood paid by our French soldiers, dead for France, wounded in their flesh or their soul.

Macron also signalled France's intention to help uphold freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and saluted "free France," the name chosen for the country's next aircraft carrier, expected around 2038.

Europe's strategic moment

Macron argued that Europe is becoming a power in its own right and must consolidate itself as a strategic actor. He positioned France as a reliable partner holding a clear line: non-belligerence in conflicts it did not choose, respect for international law, and defence of freedom. The speech comes as the president seeks to project French leadership within a Western alliance where the United States is perceived as increasingly disengaged from the European continent.