In a remarkably blunt statement before France’s National Assembly Defense Committee, General Fabien Mandon, chief of staff of the French Armed Forces, declared that “an open war with Russia remains my primary concern in terms of preparing the armed forces.” The comments came during a hearing on proposed updates to France’s 2024–2030 military programming and budget.
Paris is reportedly preparing to shift to a “war economy” — a phrase that would have seemed hyperbolic just a few years ago but is now entering mainstream European defense discourse. The French military is pushing for increased defense spending to address what it characterizes as a direct threat from Moscow, signaling that the security architecture of Europe continues to evolve at a pace few anticipated.
