France is accelerating weapons production and investing heavily in advanced defense technologies, citing rising global instability and the risk of further conflict in Europe.

At a major military and weapons exhibition in Paris, the public watched live demonstrations of guns, drones and counter-terrorism tactics, with masked officers staging a simulated response as gunshots echoed across the venue.

The show of force comes after France's new army chief-of-staff warned the country must be prepared for the possibility of losing children if a broader European war were to break out.

Yet analysts and security officials warn that the most immediate danger facing France may not come from abroad.

Raphael Jerusalmy, a military analyst, says the focus should be on domestic threats.

"The most pressing threat today for France is more internal than external, it is terrorism,"  Jerusalmy tells CGTN. "It is the fight against terrorism, a fight that France cannot lead on its own."

The French government has also released a new national survival manual, advising citizens on how to respond to terrorist attacks, nuclear incidents, natural disasters, and the outbreak of war.

This coincides with a rapid rise in defense spending. France is projected to increase military expenditure to $75 billion by 2027, nearly double the level of 2017. The plan includes boosting ammunition and missile production, modernizing equipment across the armed forces and expanding support for major weapons manufacturers.

But experts warn that civil preparedness is lagging behind military investment. France lacks a nationwide shelter network, and public awareness campaigns are limited. Specialists say many citizens also remain untrained in basic emergency response.

Michel Quille, a counter-terrorism expert and former Europol deputy director, highlights differences with neighboring countries.

"We don't have this mindset or policy to be prepared for war," Quille says, "To give you the example of Switzerland, there is a permanent policy and people, the young men have their own gun."

On the streets of Paris, many residents remain unconvinced that the risk is serious.

"I don't think the threat is significant," says Ben. "Whereas listening to politicians, you get the impression that it's actually quite serious. I don't personally see it as a direct threat."

Another resident, Lucas, says: "I'm not too worried about it, but in my opinion, there are still some things to keep an eye on."

That calm contrasts with warnings from analysts that uncertainty itself is a risk.

"History has proven sometimes that whatever you expect, something else can happen," warns Jerusalmy. "I believe that we are very far from the French running into nuclear or missile shelters and being threatened in their lives. I also believe that the warfare that would be led in this case would be military."

But as France expands its military capabilities, questions remain over how prepared the country truly is for the range of threats it may face, both abroad and at home.