French Gendarmerie requests €400 million annually for housing

General Hubert Bonneau, Director General of the French National Gendarmerie, testified before the National Assembly's Defense Commission regarding the force's budgetary and infrastructural needs for 2027. Bonneau reported that 70% of the Gendarmerie's state-owned real estate, including service buildings and military housing, is classified as dilapidated or very dilapidated.

To address these issues, the Director General estimated a requirement of approximately €400 million per year for progressive and sustainable upgrades. This funding is intended to improve operational availability, personnel mobility, and staff retention by addressing critical failures in roofing, utilities, and common areas. Current reports have highlighted severe issues, such as lack of hot water, heating, and non-functional elevators in certain barracks.

In addition to infrastructure, Bonneau addressed other operational challenges. He noted that complaints regarding domestic violence and violence against minors have nearly doubled since 2018, describing it as a “mass litigation” issue. While 90% of departmental non-commissioned officers have received training on these matters, the volume remains high. Regarding the operational reserve, the budget is maintained at €100 million, though Bonneau indicated that current funding may not be sufficient to reach the goal of 50,000 reservists or guarantee 25 days of annual employability for the existing 40,000 members.