On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron presented wide-ranging plans to modernize and expand the national nuclear strategy. During a visit to the nuclear submarine base 'Île Longue' in Brittany, the head of state declared that France would increase the number of its nuclear warheads. Paris is reacting to the changed geopolitical situation, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and recent escalations in the Middle East.
Macron emphasized that nuclear deterrence remains a central pillar of French sovereignty. In his keynote speech, he pointed out that the strategic environment has become significantly more unstable since the last doctrine adjustment in 2020. 'To be free, one must be feared, and to be feared, one must be powerful,' he justified the decision to increase the arsenal, though he did not give exact figures for the new target size. Currently, the French arsenal is estimated to have about 290 warheads.
A key aspect of the new strategy is the stronger involvement of European partners. Macron called Germany a 'key partner' and announced joint military exercises. However, he stressed that the decision-making authority over the use of the weapons remains exclusively with the French President. He categorically ruled out shared European control over the arsenal. The announcement comes against the backdrop of a debate about the reliability of the US security umbrella and is seen as a signal for greater European self-reliance in defense matters.
