The war economy is underway in the Ministry of the Armed Forces. In 2023, the budget (excluding pension) will reach €43.9 billion, an increase of 7.4% from 2022 and 36% from 2017.
These 3,000 million will be used mainly for payroll, which will increase by 669 million euros, equipment maintenance (+550 million), high impact programs (+455 million) and dissuasion (+318 million).
A third of the endowment (30%) will go to payroll, 34% to purchase and maintenance of equipment, 13% to deterrence, 12% to intelligence and innovation and small equipment, 10% to operation and 2% to opex. Please note that a budget has also been planned to fund the launch of the Scaf and MGCS programs.
42 Rafale ordered in 2023
But the year 2023 will see major arms orders for the Army, Air and Space Armies and the Navy, including equipment and a batch of Aster missiles. But the largest order will be for 42 Rafales.
The objective of equipping the Air Force with 185 Rafale combat aircraft by 2030 is “an indispensable minimum” to fulfill its missions in an increasingly disputed airspace, General Stéphane Mille, Army Chief of Staff, declared last February. of Air and Space (CEMAAE).
For the French Navy, the orders will mainly refer to two batches of missiles (Exocet and Aster 30), 3 anti-drone means and the improvement of the Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier.
On the land side, new means are planned with the order for 420 Serval armored vehicles, 22 maneuver helicopters, 8,000 HK 416 assault rifles and a batch of medium-range missiles.
France should also reconstitute a stock of ammunition without further details.
With these materials, the Ministry of the Armed Forces plans to recruit 29,700 people, including 24,000 soldiers, with the creation of 1,500 positions. As for the reservists, their number must double to reach 80,000 soldiers in the coming years.
Rafale, tanks and submarines
2023 will also be an important year for weapons deliveries. Starting next year, the Army will receive 9 Patroller drones, 18 refurbished Leclerc tanks, 10 combat helicopters (5 NH90 and 5 Tiger HAD) as well as 200 MMP missiles and 8,860 HK416 assault rifles.
The replacement of the 18 Caesar guns sold to Ukraine could start next year. According to one source, Nexter, the manufacturer that makes them, should insert orders from France into those scheduled for foreign countries.
For the Navy, the deliveries are based on the nuclear attack submarine (SNA) Duguay-Trouin (the 2nd Barracuda in front of the Suffren), 5 H160 helicopters, 3 refurbished Atlantic 2 maritime patrol aircraft, Exocet missiles and a refurbished Lafayette frigate.
In addition to the 13 Rafales delivered in 2023 to replace those taken from the army fleet to be sold second-hand to Greece and Croatia, the Air and Space Force will also have 13 refurbished Mirage2 2000Ds, 2 A400Ms, 3 tankers, a Syracuse Satellite IV and SCALP and Mica missiles.
These orders and these deliveries are just the beginning of a historic effort by France in terms of armaments aimed at preparing, if necessary, for a high-intensity conflict. Calling on manufacturers to participate in a war economy, Emmanuel Macron wants to prepare the next military programming law that will start from 2024 to 2030.
During this period, the army budget will continue to increase in tranches of 3,000 million from 2024 to reach 50,000 million in 2025, confirmed the office of the Minister of the Armed Forces.
Source: BFM TV
