France to increase nuclear warheads, lend nuclear aircraft to Europe allies

President Macron’s ‘advanced deterrence’ will be a nuclear-security relationship with key allies distinct from NATO arrangements.Published On 2 Mar 2026French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will increase the number of its nuclear warheads and allow the temporary deployment of its nuclear-armed aircraft to eight European countries to bolster the security of the continent.His speech at France’s Ile Longue nuclear submarine base on Monday introduced the idea of “advanced deterrence”, a deeper, structured nuclear-security relationship with key European partners that he said was distinct from but complementary to NATO’s nuclear arrangements.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4US and Europe must ‘repair and revive transatlantic ties’: Germany’s Merzlist 2 of 4Macron and Meloni clash over killing of French far-right activist in Lyonlist 3 of 4World reacts to US, Israel attack on Iran, Tehran retaliationlist 4 of 4Merz, Macron to address Munich Security Conference amid disputes with USend of listMacron’s speech, which was scheduled before the widening conflict in the Middle East, was aimed at quelling European security concerns amid recurring tensions with United States President Donald Trump and growing fears of Russian aggression amid Russia’s war on Ukraine.“We must strengthen our nuclear deterrent in the face of multiple threats, and we must consider our deterrence strategy deep within the European continent, with full respect for our sovereignty,” Macron said.“To be free, one needs to be feared,” the president said in his speech.The eight European countries that have agreed to participate in Macron’s scheme include Germany, Britain, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and Denmark.They will be able to host French “strategic air forces”, which will be able to “spread out across the European continent” to “complicate the calculations of our adversaries”, he said.Macron announced the new measures as France’s allies are concerned that a possible win by the far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen in next year’s presidential election could undermine cooperation in Europe.