France to restore voluntary military service, says Macron

France to restore voluntary military service, says Macron

France will introduce a voluntary military service of 10 months beginning next year, President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday, in the face of what it views as a growing threat posed by Russia.

Almost three decades after France scrapped conscription, the head of state said young adults who wished to could sign up for a 10-month military service.

"A new national service will be introduced, gradually starting next summer," he said during a speech to troops in Varces-Allieres-et-Risset in southeastern France.

But he said volunteers, mostly aged 18 to 19, would be deployed "only on national soil".

The announcement comes more than three and a half years into Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with Macron and other French officia