On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France is “ready to open” discussions regarding the potential deployment of French aircraft equipped with nuclear “bombs” to other European nations, similar to the approach taken by the United States to extend its nuclear umbrella.
During an interview with the French television channel TF1, Macron stated, “I will formally outline the framework in the coming weeks and months.”
Furthermore, he identified three conditions related to this proposal concerning French nuclear deterrence: first, “France will not pay the security costs for others”; second, that any potential deployment “will not come at the expense of our own needs”; and third, “the final decision will always rest with the President of the Republic, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”
Macron emphasized that these discussions would not alter France’s doctrine regarding the use of nuclear weapons.
He added, “Since the establishment of our nuclear doctrine under General Charles de Gaulle, there has always been a European dimension to considering what are termed vital interests. We do not elaborate on this, as ambiguity is a part of deterrence.”