President Emmanuel Macron announced on 2/3 that France would increase its nuclear warhead count, citing Europe's need to shoulder more responsibility for its own defense amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and uncertainty surrounding future US security commitments.

"To be free, one must inspire fear. For strong nuclear deterrence, conventional capabilities must also be robust in all aspects," Macron stated at the L'Ile Longue base in northwest France, home to the country's ballistic missile submarine force. "I emphasized these two points since 2020, but recent years have revealed a severe deficit in support capabilities in Europe. This situation is unacceptable."

French nuclear submarine at L'Ile Longue base during President Macron's visit on 2/3. *AFP*.

France is the only nuclear power within the European Union (EU) since the UK's departure in 2020. The country currently fields approximately 290 nuclear warheads, ranking fourth globally after Russia, the US, and China. France has maintained its nuclear warhead stockpile at a constant level since 1992.

This announcement marks the first time France will increase its nuclear warhead count in over three decades. While President Macron did not specify the exact number of additional warheads, he affirmed that Paris must ensure it maintains its "destructive capacity", emphasizing that this is not an arms race.

"No nation, regardless of its power, can defend itself if France is compelled to use its nuclear arsenal", Macron stated.

Under the French Constitution, the president holds sole authority to decide on the use of nuclear weapons. President Macron underscored that France would enhance cooperation with its European partners, but no other nation would share decision-making power over Paris's nuclear arsenal.

President Macron indicated that France might temporarily deploy a portion of its strategic air force to allied nations and invite partners to participate in nuclear deterrence exercises. He announced that France has initiated discussions with the UK, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark.

Location of L'Ile base in northwest France. *NOS*.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that their two countries have begun discussions with France on this matter. Merz stated that Germany and France anticipate concrete steps by year-end, with Berlin deploying conventional weapons to participate in French nuclear exercises.

President Macron ruled out the possibility of German aircraft carrying French nuclear weapons, dismissing prior speculation in Berlin. Instead, France and its partners will focus on coordinated exercises and strategic consultations.

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) criticized Paris's plan, warning that expanding the nuclear arsenal could cost billions of euros.

*Duc Trung (According to AFP, AP, Reuters)*