France declares readiness to cover Europe with a "nuclear umbrella"
French President Emmanuel Macron said he plans to discuss with European allies the possibility of using French nuclear forces as a means of deterring Russia. He made the announcement during a press conference.
Here's What We Know
Macron called Russia a threat to France and Europe and announced the start of a strategic debate on nuclear deterrence. He stressed that control over French nuclear weapons would remain solely in the hands of the French president.
Back in February, it was reported that Paris was considering the possibility of deploying nuclear fighter jets in Germany amid US threats to withdraw its forces from Europe.
To clarify, France's nuclear doctrine is based on the principles of national sovereignty and deterrence (dissuasion nucléaire). As of 2023, the country had about 290 nuclear warheads, making it the fourth nuclear power in the world after Russia, the United States and China.
The French nuclear force consists of two main components: a naval one - four Le Triomphant-class nuclear submarines, each equipped with 16 M51 intercontinental ballistic missiles (range over 8,000 km). One or two submarines are constantly on combat patrol. As well as air defence - Dassault Rafale fighters armed with ASMP-A nuclear cruise missiles (range up to 500 km).
It is worth reminding that recently the potential prime minister of Canada said that they would not mind receiving the "nuclear umbrella" of France and Britain.
Source: France24
