French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that volunteers aged 18 to 19 will begin military service next year under a new ten-month program. This initiative is part of France's effort to strengthen its armed forces to face growing threats. Macron, speaking at the Fars military base in the French Alps, stated: "A new national service will be gradually implemented, starting next summer." He added that young volunteers will serve only in mainland France and overseas territories and will not participate in military operations abroad. The French president indicated that France is not considering reinstating the compulsory military service, which was abolished in the country in 1996.
