France Deploys Nuclear Jets to Ten European Allies
A new forward deterrence pact includes intelligence sharing and infrastructure upgrades as European leaders seek to counter Russia.
By Alina Carter ·
France is integrating ten European nations into a nuclear defense network designed to counter Russian aggression.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the initiative, termed forward deterrence, involves building new infrastructure, communications, and early-warning links with partner countries.
The plan also includes deploying French Rafale fighter jets equipped with nuclear capabilities across the continent.
Ten nations have joined the project since French President Emmanuel Macron announced the strategy in March.
The group includes the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
French President Emmanuel Macron launched the effort by arguing that the survival of closest partners directly affects French vital interests.
Macron asked during his March speech, "Could we consider that the survival of our closest partners may be put at risk without it affecting our vital interests?"
French officials argue their deterrent is more credible because Paris shares geography and economic continuity with its neighbors.
Adviser Chatel stated at the Warsaw Security Conference, "There is one difference between France and the US: we share the same geography, we are part and parcel of the same continent, we have economic and sociological continuity with our neighbors writ large."
France has conducted one-on-one talks with each partner rather than holding group meetings.
Senior defense officials told the WSJ that this approach led nations to stay in constant contact to compare what Paris disclosed to each of them.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said his country does not plan to place nuclear weapons on its soil in peacetime but aims to create a strategic dilemma for Russia.", "Stubb described the process as likely taking 10 to 15 years.", "Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the plan supplements existing US nuclear guarantees rather than replacing them.", "Macron announced that France will resume producing nuclear devices for the first time in decades and that the stockpile size will become confidential.", "The nuclear force will remain entirely under French control.", "One government minister from another European country said, "The French will let us participate in their nuclear deterrence as much as the Americans."
