France: Chief of Defense Staff warns of military gap with Germany (opex360.com)

• General Mandon warns of a potential French military gap with Germany.
• Germany plans defense spending of €167.8 billion by 2029.
• France's budget is set at only €76.3 billion by 2030.
• Mandon laments that Germany's strategic review ignores France.
• France's nuclear deterrent remains a strategic advantage.

"French Chief of Defense Staff General Fabien Mandon warned of a potential gap in military capabilities between France and Germany. During a Senate hearing on May 11, he highlighted Germany's surging defense spending: from €66.8 billion in 2024 to a planned €167.8 billion by 2029. France's budget is set to reach €76.3 billion by 2030, deemed insufficient by the Senate. Mandon noted that Germany's strategic review does not mention France and called for more cooperation."