France will reintroduce a form of military service more than 25 years after conscription was abolished, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday, citing growing security concerns in Europe.

The program will allow young men and women to volunteer for 10 months of military training, with a minimum monthly pay of 800 euros. The initial intake is expected to reach 3,000 participants next year, rising to 50,000 by 2035.

Speaking at a military base near Grenoble, Macron said, "The only way to avoid disaster is to be prepared. We must prepare to defend the country, to be ready and to be respected." He described the initiative as "an act of trust in our youth" and said it would strengthen the armed forces by bringing in young recruits.

France currently maintains around 200,000 active duty soldiers and 47,000 reservists. The new program will integrate professional soldiers, reservists, and volunteers, forming a broader national defence framework.

The move makes France one of several European nations revisiting military service in response to fears of Russian aggression, reflecting growing concerns over regional security in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.