French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered an increase in the nation's nuclear warhead stockpile, declaring he will not hesitate to protect France's "vital interests." Speaking from a ballistic-missile submarine base, Macron stated, "I have ordered an increase in the number of nuclear warheads in our arsenal." France, estimated to possess 290 warheads, is enhancing its strategic capabilities as European security faces significant challenges.
Macron detailed a "progressive implementation" of an "advanced nuclear deterrence strategy." He emphasized this initiative is complementary to NATO's, not a replacement, and aims to provide an additional European layer of security. This strategy includes "circumstantial deployments" of strategic capabilities among eight European allies: the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark. These nations will be able to host French "strategic air forces" across the continent.
Crucially, Macron underscored that there will be "no sharing of the final decision" or "vital interests," maintaining sovereign control. Paris, London, and Berlin will also collaborate on "very long-range missile projects" to bolster deterrence in a volatile landscape. The future French ballistic-missile submarine, set to launch in 2036, will be named "Invincible."