Russian air shield growing: Report warns European nuclear missiles may fail by 2035
Russian weapons (photo: Getty Images)
British and French nuclear missiles may lose the ability to penetrate Russian defenses as early as 2035, according to analysts from the British defense think tank RUSI, Politico reports.
Russia is strengthening the protection of its skies
Russia is actively building up its air and missile defense system. According to a RUSI report, already in the next decade, these systems may be capable of intercepting British and French nuclear missiles.
An illustrative example is 2024, when Israel and the United States intercepted about 90% of Iranian missiles in two massive strikes of roughly 200 missiles each. If Russia achieves similar indicators, a modest nuclear strike from Europe simply will not reach its target.
Why Britain and France are more vulnerable than the United States
Unlike the United States with its diverse nuclear arsenal, Britain and France have a relatively small number of warheads — mostly deployed on submarines.
Study author Sidharth Kaushal emphasizes: the ability to strike Moscow is what "underpins the credibility of Europe's independent nuclear deterrents." According to him, this credibility will increasingly be tested against the backdrop of the United States being distracted by confrontation with China.
Europe seeks its own nuclear shield
The issue of nuclear deterrence has once again become central in European politics. France, Germany, and Sweden are increasingly discussing how Europe can protect itself without full dependence on the United States.
French nuclear forces have always been separate from NATO and US command. British ones are formally independent but technologically rely on Washington.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Munich Security Conference mentioned "enhanced nuclear cooperation with France," although he has not yet provided details.
Earlier, Kim Jong Un planned to increase nuclear weapons. He even set conditions for Donald Trump for "friendship" with the United States.
Meanwhile, China is testing a new generation of nuclear weapons and is doing so secretly. According to preliminary data, China's investments may provide such powerful technical capabilities that none of the nuclear states currently possess.
