Is France's nuclear arsenal insufficient to protect Europe?
Although France claims to provide a deterrent force to protect the European Union, its current nuclear arsenal is considered insufficient.
According to RIA Novosti, the French newspaper Figaro reported on May 15 that France's nuclear arsenal is insufficient to protect the entire European Union (EU), despite Paris's declarations of readiness to provide a deterrent force to protect the EU.
On May 13, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France is ready to begin discussions on deploying its nuclear-capable aircraft in other European countries. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, noted that nuclear proliferation in Europe would not enhance the region's security, predictability, or stability.
The Figaro newspaper wrote: "The stockpile of 290 nuclear warheads may not be enough in the context of expanding deterrence into European interests."
According to this publication, the issue could also involve placing nuclear bombs at bases of European partners, similar to the deterrence system created by the US within NATO.
In France – the EU's only nuclear power – experts say the concept of "self-sufficiency" in terms of national nuclear arsenals must be reconsidered in the new reality.
"Europe needs to develop a new strategy for its security. France and Britain should gradually expand their strategic arsenals," said Heather Williams, director of the nuclear issues project at the CSIS research institute in the United States.
Heather Williams recalled that, starting in 2021, London decided to halt the process of reducing the number of warheads, increasing the number from 225 to 260.
"If we're talking about opening warehouses at other bases in Europe, then this would entail increasing inventory levels," expert Yannick Panse told Figaro.
Previously, the French President announced that Istrian and Rafale fighter jets carrying hypersonic nuclear warheads would be deployed at the Luxeuil air base on the border with Germany by 2035.
In early March 2025, Emmanuel Macron stated that Russia had become a perceived threat to France and Europe, and called for discussions on the use of French nuclear weapons to defend the entire EU, noting that the US had changed its stance on Ukraine and on the issue of Washington's leadership role in NATO. According to Macron, this was a "response to the call" of the new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
