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French General Warns of Russian Escalation in Europe, Urges Army to Prepare for Conflict by 2029

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Dariia Mykhailenko
News Writer
Soldiers operate CAESAR vehicles at the French Army camp of Canjuers, in the Var department, south-eastern France, on October 20, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)
Soldiers operate CAESAR vehicles at the French Army camp of Canjuers, in the Var department, south-eastern France, on October 20, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

The French Chief of Staff, General Fabien Mandon, has issued warning that Russia “may be tempted to continue the war on the continent,” asserting that the French army must be prepared for a major operational “shock” within the next three to four years.

General Mandon delivered the warning during an address to the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, as reported by Le Figaro on October 22.

“The first task I set for the armed forces is to be ready for a shock in three to four years, which will be a kind of test… possibly [something] more brutal,” the General declared.

He identified the prospect of Russia attempting to expand the war in Europe as a “defining element” in current French military preparations. Mandon believes Moscow operates under a “perception of a collectively weak Europe” and is demonstrating a “lifting of the block on the use of force.”

According to Le Figaro, this analysis aligns with recent assessments from German intelligence services, which have suggested that Russia could be posturing for a direct military conflict with NATO as early as 2029.

At the same time, General Mandon stressed that Europeans hold an economic, demographic, and industrial advantage over Russia.

“Russia cannot scare us if we are willing to defend ourselves,” he concluded.

Consequently, the General underscored that increasing the military budget is “fundamental” to countering these threats. According to Le Figaro, France’s Minister of the Armed Forces, Catherine Vautrin, previously announced plans to increase the country's defense budget to around $66.19 billion in 2026, bringing spending to 2.2% of GDP.

Earlier, France’s 35th Parachute Artillery Brigade started live-fire drills for its new anti-drone units. These units use the short-range Proteus air defense system and are designed to be fast and dispersed, directly adapting a successful strategy pioneered by Ukraine to effectively counter threats from inexpensive UAVs.

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