Expanding France’s Nuclear Reach
President Emmanuel Macron is set to deliver a major speech on France’s nuclear deterrent, proposing a more active role for European partners. Speaking from the Île Longue peninsula, home to France’s four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, Macron will emphasize that this initiative complements, rather than competes with, the US nuclear umbrella. This will be his first address on nuclear deterrence since 2020, when he first suggested including willing European countries in joint exercises — an offer largely overlooked at the time.
European Security Concerns Drive Interest
Interest in France’s nuclear capabilities has grown amid global tensions. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exposed European defense vulnerabilities, while recent US political shifts, including former President Donald Trump’s unpredictable stance on NATO allies and the partial withdrawal of American forces, have raised questions about the reliability of Washington’s security commitments. France has engaged in strategic discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other EU leaders on coordinating nuclear doctrines to strengthen European defense.
France Maintains “Strict Sufficiency” Policy
France continues to follow a “strict sufficiency” policy, keeping around 300 warheads — far below the arsenals of the US and Russia — enough to inflict unacceptable damage while rejecting nuclear war as a strategy. Officials stress that France is not in an arms race but seeks credible deterrence. Meanwhile, Franco-British cooperation has intensified through the Northwood Declaration, creating a Nuclear Steering Group and participating in joint exercises, signaling stronger coordination between the two European nuclear powers.
