France's Macron unveils 10-month military service for volunteers aged 18 to 25

27/11/2025 07:51 France 24

French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a voluntary military service on Thursday as he seeks to bolster France's defences amid growing concerns over Russia's threat to European nations. Macron said volunteers – the bulk of them aged 18 and 19 – will start serving next year in a 10-month programme in France’s mainland and oversea territories only, with a target of 50,000 annual recruits by 2035.

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France: Macron unveils voluntary military service in face of Russia threat

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