France: Gendarmerie Vehicle Fleet in Trouble, Anne-Laure Blin Warns

In a budget opinion on funding for the National Gendarmerie in 2027, MP Anne-Laure Blin warns of a possible “obsolescence cliff” by 2028. Of the force’s 33,600 light vehicles, 8,526 already exceed retirement criteria, and the fleet averages 8.2 years old, while about 3,750 vehicles need to be replaced each year. After 730 vehicles were purchased in 2024, just 29 are planned for 2026, with no additional purchases announced for 2027. The report warns that the final deliveries from earlier orders are due to end in 2026, potentially worsening replacement pressures on a fleet needed for public safety, emergency response and investigations.