France favours air force in 2023 defence budget
The French Air and Space Force and French Navy will receive the AASM Hammer in 2023; an example is pictured on display in July at Istres Airbase. (Photo: Jean-Marc Tanguy)
Galvanised by the Russia-Ukraine war, French military spending plans for 2023 focus on fixed-wing aviation.
France intends to raise annual defence spending in 2023 by €3 billion ($2.91 billion) to €43.9 billion.
This increase aligns with the 2019-2025 Military Programming Law (LPM) but before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia on 24 February, many parliamentarians believed it would be difficult to implement.
At €8.5 billion, major equipment procurement programmes account for a big slice of planned 2023 spending but they still lag behind salaries (€12.9 billion).
The French nuclear deterrent accounts for €5.6 billion.
The big winner among the services in 2023 will be the French Air and Space Force, which will receive 13
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Spain unveils new multi-billion euro defence investment plan]()
Spain unveils new multi-billion euro defence investment plan
The new plan outlined how Spain would reach 2% of its GDP spend on defence by 2025, with €1.9 billion earmarked for new equipment acquisition with several land, naval and air platforms disclosed to be replaced or upgraded.
-
![New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia]()
New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
-
![UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”]()
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
![Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees]()
Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
-
![Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market]()
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
