French deputies and senators reached a compromise on the emergency agricultural law in a joint committee (CMP) after over six hours of talks. The agreement removes controversial measures on water storage and wetland redefinition but retains provisions to double water storage capacity by 2035 and allow derogatory use of banned pesticides for certain crops. The text faces final votes in the National Assembly and Senate next week.

The French defense ministry has chosen a consortium led by Belgian firm FN Herstal to produce 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunition in France, ending a decades-long gap in domestic production. The facility in Clérieux aims for an annual capacity of 75 million rounds by 2029, addressing vulnerabilities exposed by the Ukraine war and COVID-19. The project marks a strategic shift toward European defense industrial autonomy. The project will initially involve powder loading, assembly, and packaging, with future expansion to sub-components. The contract is expected to be signed by summer 2026.

MBDA, Europe's largest missile maker, named Jean-Brice Dumont as CEO effective November 1, succeeding Eric Béranger. Dumont, an Airbus Defence and Space executive and MBDA supervisory board member, will lead the company amid European pressure to ramp up missile production following the Ukraine war and Red Sea attacks. MBDA has nearly doubled sales to €5.8 billion and aims to increase investments to €5 billion for 2026-2030.

The French Navy has commissioned its newest first-rank frigate, Amiral Ronarc'h, which features an innovative inverted bow design and is engineered to counter surface, aerial, underwater, asymmetric, and cyber threats. The vessel represents France's strategic naval modernization amid renewed great-power competition at sea, as highlighted by the Ormuz crisis and tensions in cold waters.

The French Army has been accelerating drone modernization with AI and robotic units, aiming to field over 15,000 drones by 2026. In a new development, the French Air and Space Force announced plans to create a dedicated bomber and reconnaissance drone unit starting this year, initially experimental, to field Shahed-type and smaller air-launched drones, drawing lessons from conflicts in Ukraine, Iran, and Gulf operations. The move is driven by the need to address new threats, hardened air defenses, and mass requirements ahead of a potential European-Russia conflict before the end of the decade.

French Budget Minister David Amiel presented the government's 2027 budget framework, calling it a 'budget of republican safeguard'. He announced that non-defense ministerial spending will grow at four times below inflation, targeting deficit reduction. A report by independent economists warns the deficit could reach 5.9% of GDP in 2027 and 7% by 2030 without action.

Admiral Christophe Cluzel was appointed as the 64th Chief of Staff of the French Navy on July 15, 2026, succeeding Admiral Nicolas Vaujour. The change of command ceremony took place on the flight deck of the Mistral-class LHD at Toulon naval base. Cluzel, a career officer with extensive operational experience, now oversees fleet modernization including next-generation submarines, a future aircraft carrier, and expanded drone capabilities.

In a media appearance, RN spokesman Laurent Jacobelli addressed Elon Musk's endorsement of Marine Le Pen, stating the party does not solicit foreign support but respects free expression. He also discussed the newly adopted end-of-life law, which he voted against, warning of potential abuses and insufficient palliative care safeguards. The RN would not repeal the law if in power but would monitor for abuses.

Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal responded to accusations by Jean-Luc Mélenchon that Attal canceled an order for two new Canadair firefighting aircraft. The controversy highlights political debate over France's aerial firefighting capacity amid wildfires.

The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) announced the successful completion of the first firing campaign for the HIL/Guépard helicopter (based on Airbus H160M) at Cazaux. Tests included the axial cannon pod, side armaments (machine gun, sniper rifle), and decoys, along with initial flight tests of the mission assistant system. The first operational delivery to the ALAT is expected in early 2029, with potential integration of Akeron LP anti-tank missiles under study.

Dozens of students and parents protested outside the French embassy in Yaoundé against new Campus France rules requiring Cameroonian visa applicants to prove full payment of tuition fees upfront. Critics say the policy, which affects students already admitted, makes studying in France unaffordable for many. French officials plan to address the issue.

Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzling EU funds by the Paris Court of Appeal, receiving a 3-year sentence (1 year electronic bracelet), a fine, and a 45-month political ban (30 months suspended). She announced her candidacy for the 2027 presidential election and will appeal to the Court of Cassation. The article profiles likely candidates Le Pen, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and Edouard Philippe, highlighting Le Pen's strong chance of reaching the second round but uncertainty over her opponent.

A large wildfire in the Fontainebleau forest south of Paris has burned 800 hectares, forcing the closure of the A6 highway and disrupting rail services during a busy holiday weekend. Nearly 400 firefighters and water-bombing planes are battling the blaze, which Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said may have been deliberately set due to multiple ignition points. The fire occurs during a heatwave that has also forced the temporary shutdown of three nuclear power plants. The blaze is of exceptional scale and marks the first time firefighting planes from southern France have been deployed to the Paris region. The wildfire remains uncontained, with a new fire detected, and has now consumed 5% of the forest massif. Record heat on Sunday is giving way to slightly cooler temperatures on Monday in western France, but drought conditions continue to exacerbate the fire risk.

French anti-terror prosecutors have opened an investigation after a military-grade weapon was discovered in a car parked near a synagogue in Sarcelles, a Paris suburb with a large Jewish population. No arrests have been made. The discovery comes amid a surge in antisemitic acts in France since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. President Macron condemned rising antisemitism during a ceremony marking the exoneration of Alfred Dreyfus.

Ten European countries—Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom—announced the creation of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition following an inaugural meeting in Paris on 13 July. The coalition aims to develop a shared European anti-ballistic missile capability, leveraging Ukraine's combat experience against Russian ballistic missile attacks. The initiative is purely defensive and open to other nations. The meeting was attended by heads of state or government, EU and NATO leaders, and defense industry executives. The coalition will integrate European and Ukrainian defense industries to produce joint anti-ballistic systems. Subsequently, a Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris, co-chaired by French President Macron, UK PM Starmer, and German Chancellor Merz, gathered 23 heads of state and government. The UK joined a €90bn EU loan for Ukraine's defense and budgetary needs. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the upcoming 21st sanctions package, including 250 listings, and condemned the IOC's decision to allow Russian athletes to compete. Germany joined France in summoning the Russian ambassador over cyber and hybrid attacks. The UK sanctioned 24 individuals and entities for Russia's hybrid operations, attributing last year's attack on Poland's energy grid to Russia. The EU sanctioned nine people and four entities over Russian cyber espionage and sabotage. Macron's final Bastille Day parade as president, themed 'strategic awakening of Europe,' will feature 6,800 troops, 130 aircraft, and 500 soldiers from coalition countries, including Ukrainian pilots co-piloting Mirage jets and 25 Ukrainian troops marching. A new QR-code access system was implemented for public attendance, with 7,000 police mobilized.

France observed its first national day of remembrance for Alfred Dreyfus on the 120th anniversary of his exoneration, with President Macron warning that antisemitism remains a persistent threat. A statue of Dreyfus was unveiled, and a square named for an antisemitic writer was renamed in honor of Dreyfus's wife. The event comes as reports of antisemitic acts have surged since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and the Gaza war.