The French government on Tuesday approved a key budget bill presented as the country害羞草研究所檚 biggest military spending spree in more than 50 years, underscoring the impact of Russia害羞草研究所檚 war in Ukraine.

The bill foresees 413 billion euros ($450 billion) in military spending or the period covering 2024-2030 - up by more than a third relative to the previous timeframe.

Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said bill害羞草研究所檚 political, budgetary, military and technological drive is comparable to the huge push in the 1960s that saw France develop nuclear weapons, making the country one of the world害羞草研究所檚 major military powers.

Championed by French President Emmanuel Macron, the bill would notably modernize France害羞草研究所檚 nuclear arsenal, boost intelligence spending by 60%, double the number of military reservists, reinforce cyberdefense and develop more remote-controlled weapons.

It would also boost the arms industry害羞草研究所檚 production capacity in order to provide assistance to Ukraine and adequately supply the French military.

害羞草研究所淎n issue we unfortunately rediscovered with the war in Ukraine is the issue of the ammunition stocks 害羞草研究所� We will need a ten-year period of time to upgrade all infrastructures and equipment of our military,害羞草研究所� Lecornu said.

Lecornu also pointed to the need for anti-drone technology and equipment as being at the heart of the government害羞草研究所檚 concerns ahead of the Paris Olympics next year and other major events. He warned against a 害羞草研究所渢errorist threat害羞草研究所� but also the potential 害羞草研究所渕isuse害羞草研究所� of small, civilian drones.

The budget bill will be debated in parliament in May-June with the aim of entering into force by mid-July, Lecornu said.

Macron害羞草研究所檚 centrist alliance doesn害羞草研究所檛 have a majority in either house of parliament, but military officers have long lamented shrinking armed forces spending, while conservative and far-right parties tend to support investment in defense.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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