France to Expand Nuclear Arsenal and Boost European Cooperation

France has announced plans to increase the size of its nuclear arsenal for the first time in decades, as European leaders grow concerned about the reliability of U.S. commitments to defend the continent.

President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement on Monday during a speech at a submarine base in Brittany. He said France would also intensify nuclear weapons cooperation with eight European allies, including Germany and Poland.

Macron explained that France will no longer disclose figures about its nuclear stockpile, breaking with past practice. “To be free, one must be feared, and to be feared, one must be powerful. This increase in our arsenal is proof of that,” he said.

The president added that France could deploy nuclear capable Rafale fighter jets to partner countries for the first time. These aircraft would be stationed in places such as Germany and Poland, allowing them to “spread out across the European continent” and complicate the calculations of adversaries.

Macron stressed that France, the European Union’s only nuclear power, must strengthen its deterrent in the face of multiple threats. He said independence does not mean isolation, and that cooperation with allies is essential. However, he made clear that the “ultimate decision” on the use of nuclear weapons would remain solely with the French president.

His remarks come at a time of global instability, following U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran that have raised fears of wider conflict in the Middle East. Macron argued that Europe must be prepared to defend itself without relying entirely on the United States.

European countries including Germany, Poland, Sweden, and Britain have agreed to take part in what Macron called a “forward” nuclear deterrence scheme. Germany will be a key partner in this effort. In a joint statement after the speech, France and Germany said they had created a “high ranking nuclear steering group” to coordinate cooperation. They emphasized that this arrangement would add to, not replace, NATO’s nuclear deterrence.

Macron’s announcement marks a major shift in France’s nuclear doctrine. For decades, Europe has depended primarily on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. The United States currently stations nuclear bombs in five European countries: Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Turkey. But recent uncertainty over U.S. policy has fueled European fears about future protection.

France maintains the world’s fourth largest nuclear arsenal, with around 290 warheads. Britain, which is no longer part of the EU, is the only other European nuclear power. By contrast, the U.S. and Russia each possess thousands of warheads.

Macron’s move signals that France intends to play a stronger role in Europe’s security, ensuring that the continent has its own credible nuclear deterrent in an increasingly unstable world.