Macron: France's Nuclear Arsenal Will Be Increased
6- 2.03.2026, 19:26
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At the same time, he said, the exact number of warheads would not be published.
France will increase its nuclear arsenal and stop reporting the number of warheads, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday, March 2, speaking at a nuclear submarine military base on Long Island, near the western port city of Brest.
-"I have decided to increase the number of warheads in our arsenal. It is my duty to ensure that our deterrence maintains, also in the future, its guaranteed destructive power," Macron said.
- He attributed the decision to the fact that the world is now going through "a period of geopolitical upheaval linked to risks."
- At the same time, Macron said, specific data on the new number of warheads would not be published. "To be free, you have to inspire fear. To inspire fear, you need to be strong," the president said. The country's nuclear arsenal has not been increased at least since 1992, when France joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Associated Press agency points out.
The French president said the changes in nuclear doctrine he announced were discussed with representatives of the US and Britain, which also have nuclear arsenals. Earlier, the media wrote that talks between the three countries on the topic were held in Geneva in February. Similar talks between representatives of the United States and Russia were held there at the end of the month.
At the same time, Gennady Gatilov, Russia's permanent representative to the UN office and other international organizations in Geneva, said on February 6, the day after the expiration of the START-3 treaty. According to him, it will be of "fundamental importance" for Russia to involve in the dialogue "the US military allies in NATO," which include London and Paris.
Macron: 8 countries agreed to participate in French nuclear deterrence program
The French president also said during his speech that he would allow the temporary deployment of its nuclear-armed aircraft in allied countries. According to him, talks on this are underway with Britain, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and Denmark. At the same time, Macron stressed, the decision on the use of French nuclear weapons will be made only by the head of France.
The French president also noted that France's partners in the program will be able to participate in nuclear deterrence exercises.
- The first steps in the framework of cooperation will begin this year; they may include visits to strategic sites, as well as joint exercises," Macron said.
Germany Macron called the country's key partner in this area. He said Berlin, London and Paris will work together on very long-range missile projects.
France's nuclear arsenal now
After Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) in 2020, France became the association's sole nuclear power. The country has about 290 of the world's estimated 12,200 nuclear warheads, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). This makes France the fourth nuclear power by arsenal after Russia, the United States and China.
The country's armed forces have four nuclear-powered submarines capable of launching missiles with a range of about 10,000 kilometers, as well as Rafale fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons. With their help, France can carry out air strikes at a distance of about 500 kilometers.
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