France to expand 'nuclear umbrella' over Europe amid Russian threats - WSJ
Photo: French Rafale fighter jet capable of carrying nuclear warheads (Getty Images)
Russia is frightening European countries with the threat of a nuclear apocalypse. Against the backdrop of these statements, France is resuming the production of nuclear warheads and classifying data regarding this type of weaponry, according to The Wall Street Journal.
France scales up nuclear deterrence
France, the only EU country possessing nuclear weapons, is increasing the level of strategic uncertainty for Russia. The country has approximately 290 nuclear warheads, and for the first time in several decades, it will increase their production and no longer disclose the size of its stockpiles.
Thus, nuclear weapons will no longer be deployed solely by the US in five European countries (including Türkiye). France has already reached agreements with 10 partners.
The initiative has been joined by:
- UK (where its own nuclear weapons are deployed only on submarines);
- Germany;
- Poland;
- Netherlands;
- Belgium;
- Greece;
- Finland;
- Norway;
- Sweden;
- Denmark.
The initiative involves:
- Deploying French Rafale fighter jets with nuclear armament across Europe;
- Creating new infrastructure and communication systems;
- Early warning systems and intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
What this will achieve
The French "nuclear umbrella," which French President Emmanuel Macron has called forward deterrence, creates new challenges for Russia. This was stated recently by Xavier Chatel, adviser to the French president on strategic issues.
According to him, the project gives France new opportunities for deploying nuclear forces in the event of nuclear escalation. Experts believe it is even more dangerous for Russia than NATO’s nuclear deterrence program.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stated that France had strategic potential that complemented existing US nuclear guarantees.
French ASMP-A cruise missiles, mounted on Rafale fighter jets, are designed to strike major Russian cities and have a high probability of hitting their targets. This represents a completely different level of deterrence, note military officials and analysts.
Nicole Grajewski, an expert on Russia and nuclear issues at Sciences Po University in Paris, said that it was unclear whether this would convince the Russians that the French would risk exposing Paris to a retaliatory strike, for example, via Warsaw, but noted that the Russians were certainly paying attention to it.
Germany and France were beginning unprecedented military cooperation in the field of nuclear deterrence. Berlin officially agreed to participate in exercises involving French strategic forces.
Furthermore, Poland and France held the first meeting of the nuclear cooperation group in Paris. The two countries are strengthening their defense partnership and aim to make Europe safer.
