France is preparing a major expansion of its military stockpiles, including a 400% increase in loitering munitions known as kamikaze drones by 2030, according to a draft defense law reported by POLITICO.
The plan, set for presentation on April 8, calls for a 240% rise in AASM Hammer guided bombs and a 30% increase in Aster and MICA air defense and air-to-air missiles. It allocates €8.5 billion ($9.07 billion) specifically for unmanned systems and missiles, with overall defense spending projected to reach €76.3 billion by 2030.
The push follows lessons from high-intensity conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, where munitions deplete rapidly. In March 2026, French Rafale fighters based in the Gulf fired about 80 MICA missiles defending the United Arab Emirates against Iranian Shahed drones, straining existing stocks and highlighting the mismatch between costly missiles and cheap threats.
MBDA, a European missile producer, plans a 40% production increase in 2026, doubling output of Aster missiles for SAMP/T systems, and investing €5 billion over four years. France is also exploring cheaper drone defenses, including interceptor drones, helicopters, and laser-armed Rafales. In January 2026, it became the first customer for MBDA’s One-Way Effector loitering munition.