The Minister of the Armed Forces visited Vienne on Friday, April 10. Catherine Vautrin notably visited the RICM in Poitiers, before going to Safran in Saint-Benoît where equipment for defense, space, and aeronautics sectors is manufactured. The minister was in the department of Vienne on Friday. Catherine Vautrin visited the Marine Infantry Chars Regiment in Poitiers, which is the most decorated regiment in France. She then visited Safran in Saint-Benoît. This site, with more than 600 employees, manufactures equipment for the defense, space, and aeronautics sectors. Her visit comes a day after presenting her project to update the Military Programming Law for 2024-2030. The minister plans to allocate an additional 36 billion euros to the armed forces by 2030, with a significant portion earmarked for rearmament, including over 23 billion for ammunition. She stated, “This is the largest increase in funding. It ranges from shells to the most sophisticated ammunition,” addressing the different regiments of the RICM. “The more we train, the better we are, and that is the goal of this bill, to provide more resources.” The minister also mentioned the launch of the voluntary national service. Catherine Vautrin met three young people from Poitiers who will be part of the first intake next term. Dressed casually, they stand with hands behind their backs. “I am a bit lost in what I want to do in the future,” admits Romain. When asked about his level of education, the 21-year-old responds, “Vocational baccalaureate, in chemistry, water, and paper cardboard processes. It did not suit me, I would like to work in sports, maybe be a sports coach in the army.” Kevin, age 19, dreams of being a gendarme in a motorized brigade. He came across an advertisement for the national service on Instagram. “I went to find out at Cirfa, and they explained that it could be a good stepping stone. I took the tests and decided to volunteer. If I like it, I will either continue in the gendarmerie, or join the army.” Kevin and Romain are among the 30 young people accepted at the RICM in Poitiers. Not all positions have been filled yet, and the recruitment campaign is still ongoing. After a month of training, the young recruits will join combat squadrons for nine months. “I imagine that if you turn to the army, it’s because, for you, the values of the republic are important, right?,” asks Catherine Vautrin. The three young men nod in agreement.
