France to raise defence budget by €3.8 billion from 2016-2019 2904155

Defence & Security News - France
 
France to raise defence budget by €3.8 billion from 2016-2019
French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday he would increase the country's defence budget by 3.8 billion euros over four years from 2016 to ensure the army had the capacity to deal with threats at home and handle overseas operations.
     
France to raise defence budget by €3.8 billion from 2016-2019French President François Hollande during his speech
     
"France is facing threats at home and overseas," Hollande told reporters. "Security, protection, independence are principles that are not negotiable." He said the defence budget in 2015 would remain at 31.4 billion euros ($34.51 billion), but that an extra 3.8 billion euros would be given to the army over the period between 2016-2019. He did not say how the extra costs would be financed.
 
French president also annouced that 7,000 soldiers will durably stay in the street as part of Sentinel Operation, a nationwide security operation. Regarding the French operations in Iraq, North Africa or Central African Republic, François Hollande wants the French forces stay at a high level.
 
In 2015, French Army Aviation should receive 4 NH90 Caiman transport helicopters, 5 Tigre attack helicopters and 7 renovated Cougar transport helicopters.