President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will expand its nuclear arsenal and deepen cooperation with European allies on nuclear deterrence. The remarks were made during a visit to France’s nuclear submarine base in Brittany.
Macron said France is facing a period of serious geopolitical risk and must strengthen its deterrence strategy. He signaled that European partners could take part in French nuclear wargames and, under certain conditions, host French aircraft involved in nuclear missions. However, he stressed that the final decision to use nuclear weapons would remain solely with the French president.
Macron said countries including Germany, Poland, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden could participate in joint nuclear exercises. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that France and Germany have created a nuclear steering group to begin closer cooperation this year. This would include German conventional forces taking part in French nuclear drills and joint visits to strategic sites.
Macron said the expansion would remain within France’s long-standing doctrine of “strict sufficiency,” meaning it would only maintain what is necessary for deterrence. He also said the updated strategy is transparent and complementary to NATO’s nuclear mission.
