Macron Announces Strengthened Nuclear Policy for France, Europe

(MENAFN) France plans to strengthen its nuclear arsenal and extend its deterrence to cover other European nations, marking a significant shift in its nuclear defense policy.

In a speech in Brittany, President Emmanuel Macron framed the changes as a response to a “increasingly unstable strategic environment.” He stated, “The next 50 years will be an era of nuclear weapons.”

Addressing naval officers in front of a nuclear submarine at the Ile Longue base near Brest, Macron announced that France would increase its current stock of around 300 nuclear warheads. He also revealed plans to launch a new nuclear-armed submarine in 2036, to be named The Invincible.

Eight European countries—the UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark—have agreed to participate in a new “advanced deterrence” initiative.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted the development on X, writing: “We are arming up together with our friends so that our enemies will never dare to attack us.”

Macron explained that these countries could take part in exercises using France’s air-launched nuclear force, or force de frappe, and host air bases where French nuclear bombers could be stationed. This, he said, would enable France’s Strategic Air Forces (FAS) to “spread out across the depth of the European continent… and thus complicate the calculations of our adversaries.”

Additionally, France’s partners will contribute to the development of “auxiliary” capabilities under the new doctrine, including space-based early warning systems, air defenses against drones and missiles, and long-range missile systems.

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