France to increase N-warheads, deploy nuclear aircrafts to 8 European countries

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the country’s plans to increase the number of nuclear warheads and temporarily deploy nuclear-armed aircraft to eight European countries in a move aimed at strengthening the continent’s security.

In his speech at the L’Ile Longue military base in northwestern France on Monday, Macron outlined the idea of “advanced deterrence” strategy, a more structured and deeper nuclear-security partnership with key European allies. He stressed that the initiative would complement NATO’s nuclear framework while remaining fully under French sovereignty.

The announcement comes amid rising security concerns across Europe, fuelled by ongoing tensions with US President Donald Trump and growing fears of Russian aggression as the war in Ukraine continues. Although the speech had been scheduled before the recent escalation in the Middle East, its message centred firmly on Europe’s long-term security posture.

“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.”

Under the proposal, Germany, Britain, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and Denmark have agreed to participate. These countries would be able to host France’s “strategic air forces”, allowing French nuclear-capable aircraft to operate across Europe in a way that Macron said would complicate any adversaries military calculations.

The move also comes at a sensitive political moment, as some European allies worry that a potential victory by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally party in next year’s French presidential election could disrupt European defence cooperation.

“An upgrade of our arsenal is essential,” Macron said. “That’s why I ordered an increase in the number of nuclear warheads in our arsenal.”

In a notable shift from previous policy, he announced that France will no longer publicly disclose the size of its nuclear arsenal, ending a longstanding transparency practice.