Gen. Jacques de Montgros emphasizes artificial intelligence, strategic adaptation and recruitment
France’s Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Jacques de Montgros, has released his first agenda since taking office on July 26, identifying three priorities for the French Army: integrating artificial intelligence, adapting to the changing strategic environment and addressing future recruitment challenges.
The statement, dated Aug. 24, was made public Monday in a post on X. Of the three themes, Montgros described the rapid integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems into army operations as the most urgent priority.
“The Army must scale up the integration of these developments without abandoning its other capabilities or the other factors that provide superiority, particularly the commander’s judgment and collective strength,” Montgros said.
Adapting to Europe’s “strategic awakening”
The second priority concerns adapting the Army to changes in the international strategic environment. Montgros referred to this shift as “Europe’s strategic awakening,” echoing a theme promoted during France’s Bastille Day military parade in Paris on July 14.
According to the general, the French Army must be able to combine surprise, maneuver and attrition seamlessly in order to achieve decisive effects “at the time of our choosing.”
The approach reflects France’s transition from low-intensity counterinsurgency missions toward preparing for conventional conflict and strengthening European strategic autonomy.
Additional defense funding
Increased funding could help the French Army adapt more effectively to emerging threats. On Aug. 18, Paris formally adopted a revised military programming law that adds €36 billion to defense spending between 2026 and 2030.
The additional resources could support the development of new technologies, the modernization of equipment and increased readiness across the land forces.
Demographic pressures and recruitment challenges
Montgros also identified a long-term concern facing the Army: what he called a “demographic challenge.”
“We must anticipate it — the Army’s ability to accomplish its missions in the future will depend on its capacity to recruit, retain and remain deeply rooted in the nation, giving a full place to active-duty soldiers, reservists and national-service volunteers,” he said.
France’s new voluntary national military service program officially launches this month and is expected to initially welcome 3,000 participants between the ages of 18 and 25.
The program lasts ten months and includes five weeks of basic military training. Participants then join units in the Army, Navy or Air and Space Force.
French armed forces include around 200,000 military personnel
As of 2025, the French Armed Forces consisted of approximately 200,000 military personnel and 64,000 civilian employees. Annual recruitment stood at roughly 27,000 people.
Montgros’ new agenda indicates that the French Army will have to manage technological modernization, preparation for a more demanding strategic environment and the need to maintain a sufficiently large personnel base at the same time.
