France is to boost its nuclear arsenal and extend the deterrent to cover other European countries, in a major development of its nuclear defence policy.
In a speech in Brittany, President Emmanuel Macron explained the changes as the response to an increasingly unstable strategic environment.
“The next 50 years will be an era of nuclear weapons,” he said.
Speaking to naval officers in front of a nuclear submarine at the Ile Longue base near the port of Brest, he said the number of French nuclear warheads would be increased from their current level of around 300.
He announced the launch in 2036 of a new nuclear-armed submarine to be called The Invincible.
He said eight other European countries – the UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and Denmark – had agreed to participate in a new “advanced deterrence” strategy.
Writing on X, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk referenced the decision, saying: “We are arming up together with our friends so that our enemies will never dare to attack us.”
Macron said the eight European countries could take part in exercises of France’s air-launched nuclear capacity – or force de frappe – and also host air bases where France’s nuclear bombers could be stationed.
This would allow France’s Strategic Air Forces (FAS) to “spread out across the depth of the European continent… and thus complicate the calculations of our adversaries”, the president said.
He added that France’s partners would also share in the development of “auxiliary” capacities under the new nuclear doctrine: space-based alarm systems; air defence to shoot down incoming drones and missiles; and long-range missiles.
He said eight other European countries – the UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and Denmark – had agreed to participate in a new “advanced deterrence” strategy.
Writing on X, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk referenced the decision, saying: “We are arming up together with our friends so that our enemies will never dare to attack us.”
Macron said the eight European countries could take part in exercises of France’s air-launched nuclear capacity – or force de frappe – and also host air bases where France’s nuclear bombers could be stationed.
This would allow France’s Strategic Air Forces (FAS) to “spread out across the depth of the European continent… and thus complicate the calculations of our adversaries”, the president said.
He added that France’s partners would also share in the development of “auxiliary” capacities under the new nuclear doctrine: space-based alarm systems; air defence to shoot down incoming drones and missiles; and long-range missiles.
By BBC News
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