France's President Emmanuel Macron unveils a new national military service as he speaks to the army at the military base in Varces, French Alps on Thursday.

President Emmanuel Macron announced thousands of volunteers aged 18 and 19 will start serving in the military next year as he unveiled a new program meant to bolster France’s armed forces to address growing concerns over Russia’s threat to European nations beyond the war in Ukraine.

Young volunteers will serve in uniform for 10 months in France’s mainland and oversea territories only, not in military operations abroad, Macron said in a speech at the Varces military base, which is located in the French Alps.

“A new national service is set to be gradually established, starting from next summer,” Macron said. “In this uncertain world w

See Full Page