France, Nov. 27 -- The plan comes as several European nations worry about US President Donald Trump's shifting prioritiesand the impact of Russia's aggressive posture.

"France cannot remain idle," Macron said during a speech Thursday at the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade in Varces in the French Alps.

He said the project was "inspired by practices of our European partners ... at a time when all our European allies advance in response to a threat that weighs on us all".

Macron said the scheme will be open to 18 and 19-year-olds, who will be paid, and will last 10 months. It will cost €2 billion, which he called "a significant and necessary effort".

The programme aims to take in 3,000 people in 2026, all serving on French soil, ris...