This article is published in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report part of Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN), and is complimentary through Mar 13, 2025. For information on becoming an AWIN Member to access more content like this, click here.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said he wishes to begin a debate with European leaders on extending France’s nuclear deterrence umbrella to other European nations.
In a 13-min. speech aired on national television on March 5, Macron said he wants to “open the strategic debate on protection by our deterrent of our allies from the European continent.”
This follows growing concerns about the threat posed by Russia, acrimony between Washington and Kyiv and concerns that the U.S. may no longer be willing to underwrite European security. “Our security and our prosperity have become more uncertain, and it must be said: we are entering a new era,” Macron said.
“I want to believe that the United States will stay by our side,” Macron said, “but you have to be ready if that was not the case.”
France currently has a two-pronged deterrent of submarine-launched ballistic missiles and air-launched nuclear-tipped standoff missiles.
But even if more nations join the French nuclear umbrella, Macron said the decision for their use “has always been and will remain in the hands of the President of the Republic.”
He declared that France would increase defense spending further, to “equip ourselves more,” with proposed defense spending expected to rise to nearly €70 billion ($75.5 billion) annually by 2030, up from just more than €50 billion this year.
Macron said he would “strengthen [France’s] independence in defense and security. The future of Europe does not have to be decided in Washington or Moscow.”
Related Content
