Emmanuel Macron wants French nuclear weaponsImage: keystone
Emmanuel Macron offers the Europeans the stationing of French nuclear weapons. And if possible, before Marine Le Pen comes to power in Paris.
March 4, 2026, 8:10 amMarch 4, 2026, 8:10 am
The martial backdrop matched Macron’s defense policy speech: The Île Longue in the furthest tip of Brittany is the base for the four submarines that can carry some of France’s 290 nuclear warheads – and one of which always cruises the world’s oceans.
A French nuclear submarine at Île Longue.Image: keystone
The question of the purpose of this nuclear “force de frappe” arises today more than ever: The Russians are threatening Europe with an attack, the Americans with withdrawal. Can France, the EU’s only nuclear power, step into the gap and replace the US nuclear umbrella? The will is there: Macron announced on Île Longue that he wants to strengthen the French nuclear arsenal. He didn’t give any numbers; In return, he made it clear that the new atomic bombs should also retain a high explosive power – seven times that of Hiroshima.
Macron’s announcements are being followed with great interest in European capitals after Russian President Vladimir Putin attacked neighboring Ukraine. The French President confirmed on Monday that the “Force de Frappe” had a “European dimension”. In fact, the EU is now so interconnected that an external attack on a country like Poland or Lithuania will inevitably harm France’s “vital interests,” as military officials say.
Macron is therefore offering partner countries the opportunity to station French nuclear warheads throughout Europe. This is a big step compared to the French army’s previous, purely national approach.
European troops are also to take part in the exercises of the French nuclear weapons units. According to Macron, seven countries have expressed interest in benefiting from the French “Force de Frappe”: Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Denmark and Sweden. France has already agreed on cooperation in the field of nuclear weapons with the non-EU country Great Britain, which has around 230 nuclear warheads, in Northwood in 2025.
However, Macron categorically rules out “nuclear participation”, i.e. Europeans having a say in the use of French atomic bombs. As head of the French army, the French head of state continues to alone make the decision about pressing the “red button,” he said.
This clarification also has domestic political implications: Macron is taking away an argument from the right-wing populists Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella as well as the leftist Jean-Luc Mélenchon. For these arch-nationalists, sharing the nuclear “Force de Frappe” – an integral part of national independence – with European partners is out of the question. By making it clear that he retains sole control, Macron is taking the wind out of the nationalists’ sails.
Time is running out
Le Pen further accuses the pro-European in the Elysée of “selling” his own nuclear weapons abroad, namely Germany. The current presidential favorite makes no secret of her sympathy for Russia and her rejection of Germany. She openly assumes that the Germans have “hegemonic” intentions in Europe: they already have twice as much defense spending as France; In 2030 they would even be three times as high.
Macron turns the anti-German argument around. The nuclear “Force de Frappe” consumes billions every year. This applies in particular to the long-overdue renewal of those submarines and fighter jets that carry nuclear explosives. Germany could make a contribution here. Because it is clear to everyone involved that a nuclear say is not free.
In return for “participation” in its nuclear umbrella, the USA also demands that interested Europeans buy American F35 jets. France, for its part, is looking for more buyers for its Rafale jets in order to finance its “Force de Frappe”. Why not German? Or why not a higher financial contribution from Berlin to the newly planned German-French fighter jet system FCAS?
One thing is clear: all of these European nuclear agreements would be void if Le Pen or Bardella moved into the Elysée after the presidential elections in April 2027. Macron therefore only has a year left to irreversibly deploy the French nuclear arsenal in Europe. (aargauerzeitung.ch)