France Eyes $42B Defense Surge and a Stopgap Tank Plan
France unveiled a four-year €36 billion ($42 billion) boost to its defense budget, aiming for €76.3 billion in defense spending by 2030, and is considering an interim main battle tank—likely a KNDS France/Germany platform with a French turret—to bridge MGCS delays; the plan also expands drones, missiles, anti-drone systems, and reservists, with parliamentary oversight.