France to boost nuclear arsenal, involve Euro allies
France will expand its nuclear arsenal and potentially allow its European partners to field aircraft on nuclear deterrence missions, President Emmanuel Macron said, signaling a major doctrinal shift for France and the continent.
Although France and Britain are nuclear powers, most European countries rely primarily on the United States to deter potential enemies; this has been a pillar of transatlantic security for decades. But Trump’s rapprochement with Russia over the Ukraine war and his harsher stance against traditional allies have shaken European governments, and some countries have expressed interest in how Paris could protect them by expanding its nuclear umbrella.
“We are currently experiencing a period of geopolitical turmoil full of risks,” Macron said in a speech at a submarine base in Brittany, adding that the French deterrence model needed to be further toughened. Announcing the update to France’s nuclear doctrine, a ritual for presidents at any time, Macron promised greater cooperation with European allies who have expressed interest.
In addition to Germany, Greece, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden will also be able to participate in the French nuclear war games.
“I think I can say that our partners are ready,” Macron said.
Still, Macron gave no details on how enhanced nuclear power would be financed, saying clear decision-making on nuclear strikes would remain solely in the hands of the French president.
In his joint statement with Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that France and Germany have established a nuclear steering group to discuss deterrence issues and that they will start concrete cooperation this year.
This will include the participation of conventional German forces in French nuclear exercises and joint visits to strategic sites, as well as the development of non-nuclear capabilities with France and other European partners.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said
“We are arming together with our friends so that our enemies do not dare to attack us.”
The French leader said that under unspecified conditions it would be possible to create strategic assets in other European countries that would be part of what he called the new “advanced deterrence” doctrine. “Our strategic air forces can spread deep into the European continent,” Macron said, without giving further details.
Macron said the number of French warheads would be increased, although the size of France’s nuclear arsenal was based on a “strict qualification” strategy.
France spends about 5.6 billion euros (A$8.53 billion) a year maintaining its stockpile of 290 submarines and air-launched weapons, the world’s fourth-largest arsenal. Britain has 225 nuclear warheads. Russia and the United States each have more than 5,000.
Macron said close ties with Britain on nuclear deterrence will continue. He also said that the current rethinking of the French nuclear doctrine was done in full transparency with Washington and was complementary to NATO’s nuclear mission.
