France’s Health Ministry has discreetly issued directives demanding that hospitals across the country stand ready for a potential “major military engagement” in Europe by March 2026, a move officials say is purely precautionary. In a confidential letter dated July 18, 2025, regional health agencies were instructed to prepare civilian medical facilities to manage a high-volume influx of wounded service members. Authorities are expected to accommodate between 10,000 and 50,000 casualties over a period spanning 10 to 180 days, with capacity planning for typical daily intakes of 100 patients and peak surges reaching 250 daily cases.
The memo also outlines that hospitals should be prepared to treat both French soldiers and allied forces, potentially becoming a key rear-support hub for NATO, positioning France as a transit and treatment center for injured troops before their return home. To support this, the ministry has proposed establishing medical staging centers near major transport hubs—such as train stations, ports, and airports—that would facilitate triage, stabilization, and evacuation of patients.
The announcement, originally leaked by Le Canard enchaîné, prompted skepticism due to the outlet’s satirical reputation. However, Health Minister Catherine Vautrin has confirmed the letter’s authenticity in broadcast statements, stressing that the intent is not to alarm but to anticipate crises. She cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a cautionary example of the consequences of unpreparedness and asserted that such foresight is part of the government’s duty, akin to stockpiling strategic reserves.
Government spokespeople reiterated that this directive is part of broader resilience planning, not only for military scenarios but also for other threats like epidemics, disasters, or public health emergencies. They stressed that integrating military patient care into the civilian system is about readiness, not predicting imminent conflict.
This initiative reflects a growing shift in European strategy toward preparing for high-intensity warfare. France is not alone in this trend: regional allies, including Germany and European Union institutions, are similarly enhancing war readiness, civil defense planning, and strategic coordination. In parallel, President Emmanuel Macron has signaled broader defense investments, including military hospital infrastructure, as part of France’s evolving approach to security.
