France to increase nuclear warheads, lend nuclear aircraft to Europe allies

"We must strengthen our nuclear deterrent in the face of multiple threats, and we must consider our deterrence strategy deep within the European continent, with full respect for our sovereignty. To be free, one needs to be feared. An upgrade of our arsenal is essential, which is why I ordered an increase in the number of nuclear warheads in our arsenal."

"Advanced deterrence represents a deeper, structured nuclear-security relationship with key European partners that is distinct from but complementary to NATO's nuclear arrangements. The eight participating countries will be able to host French strategic air forces, which will be able to spread out across the European continent to complicate the calculations of our adversaries."

French President Emmanuel Macron announced a strategic nuclear initiative at France's Ile Longue submarine base, introducing 'advanced deterrence' as a structured nuclear-security relationship with key European allies. France will increase its nuclear warhead arsenal and allow temporary deployment of nuclear-armed aircraft to Germany, Britain, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark. This framework operates independently from but complements NATO's nuclear arrangements. Macron emphasized that strengthening nuclear deterrence is essential amid multiple threats, Russian aggression in Ukraine, and recurring tensions with the United States. The initiative aims to enhance European security and sovereignty while complicating adversaries' strategic calculations through dispersed French strategic air forces across the continent.

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