French national security operation extended after terror attacks

World Today

In France, a plan to freeze defense spending and reduce troops has been put on hold following January’s Paris terror attacks, and the growing ISIL threat in Africa. CCTV’s Kate Parkinson reported this story.

Highlights:

  • 10,000 troops are currently deployed across France as part of a nationwide security operation launched in the wake of the January terror attacks.
  • Originally planned to last for a few weeks, the operation has been extended until at least the summer.
  • The operaiton will cost the equivalent of about $1 million a day.
  • Along with much of Western Europe, France’s military spending has fallen in recent years. It is down from almost $70 billion in 2009, to just over $53 billion last year.