President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will increase its nuclear arsenal for the first time in decades and deepen nuclear cooperation with eight European allies, including the UK, as part of a major strengthening of its deterrence doctrine. Speaking from the Île Longue nuclear submarine base in Brittany, Macron cited geopolitical upheaval and risks from Russia's war in Ukraine, China's military expansion, and shifts in US defence strategy as reasons for the move.
Macron stated that France could deploy nuclear-capable Rafale fighter jets to partner countries such as Germany and Poland under a new 'advance deterrence' model. However, he emphasised that the ultimate decision on nuclear use would remain with the French president, and France's vital interests would stay sovereign. Talks on enhanced cooperation have begun with the UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark.
The French president ordered an increase in the country's estimated 290 nuclear warheads, a number unchanged since 1992, which constitutes the world's fourth-largest nuclear arsenal. He did not specify the planned increase, insisting it was not an arms race but necessary to maintain assured destructive power. 'It is essential that our adversaries cannot even glimpse the possibility of hitting France without the certainty of suffering damage they would not recover from,' Macron said.
Macron's speech was described by Bruno Tertrais of the FRS thinktank as 'the most significant update to French nuclear deterrence policy in 30 years'. The announcement comes amid European concerns over wavering US commitments, particularly following Donald Trump's rapprochement with Russia. France and Germany also established a 'high-ranking nuclear steering group' to coordinate on nuclear issues.
