Defense Minister Lecornu: 'This military budget allows France to remain a world power' (2024)

FAQs

What is the military power of France? ›

France has the eighth largest defence budget in the world and the second largest in the European Union (EU). It also has the largest military by size in the EU. As of 2021, the total active personnel of the French Armed Forces is 270,000.

Paris is dramatically increasing military spending, with this year's budget set at €47.2 billion. France will reach NATO's target of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense in 2024, hitting the goal earlier than previously forecast, French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced today.

France is ranked number 11. Is it fair and accurate? We know France is the one of most powerful military powers in the world.

The GFP index denotes France as a Top 15 global military power. For 2024, France is ranked 11 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. The nation holds a PwrIndx* score of 0.1878 (a score of 0.0000 is considered 'perfect').

In his 2014 publication Great Power Peace and American Primacy, Joshua Baron considers China, France, Russia, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States as the current great powers. Italy has been referred to as a great power by a number of academics and commentators throughout the post WWII era.

Electricity in France runs on a 220-volt, 50-hertz AC current rather than the 110-volt, 60-hertz AC current used in the United States and Canada. France also uses a Type E plug (round pin and receptacle with male grounding pin) versus the Type A/B plug (flat blade/with round grounding pin) in North America.

France contribute 10.3963% of the total NATO budget, under the contribution sharing scheme (see chart below). NATO members agreed the civil and military budgets for 2024 at a meeting of the North Atlantic Council on Wednesday 13 December 2023.

The United States has the highest military spending of any nation. Its military spending includes all of the Department of Defense's regular activities, war spending, the nuclear weapon program, international military assistance, and other Pentagon-related spending.

United States:

Holding the top position, the United States commands the most potent military force globally. According to Global Firepower, with a Power Index of 0.0699, it demonstrates unparalleled capabilities in defence technologies and armed forces.

Which country is no one in military? ›

Iceland has not had a standing army since 1869, but is an active member of NATO.

Out of the 169 most important world battles fought since 387 BC, France has won 109, lost 49 and drawn 10.

PowerIndex of military forces in Europe 2023

According to this ranking, the UK had the second strongest military in Europe, followed by France, and then Italy.

France's military is generally considered one of the strongest in Europe, both in terms of size and readiness to act. According to a ranking for the magazine Business Insider - based on military size, capability, technical skills and equipment - Russia has the most powerful military, followed by France and then the UK.

France fields a powerful military with sophisticated capabilities, including advanced jets, well-trained commandos and nuclear weapons. But the French military is also fragile, lacking reserves of munitions and manpower for a sustained conflict with Russia, according to a study by a U.S. think tank.

Straight off the bat, France has a much larger combined military force with 203,000 active personnel, this includes those serving in the French army, air force and navy. Compare this with the UK which currently has just 150,000 active personnel across its three branches.

It is among the largest and most powerful naval forces in the world recognised as being a blue-water navy. The French Navy is capable of operating globally and conducting expeditionary missions, maintaining a significant overseas presence.