France's nuclear forces attract neighbors to deter Russia Paris, with the active support of European allies, is strengthening and expanding its role as a nuclear power to strengthen deterrence against possible Russian attacks against the background of weakening European confidence in American security guarantees, writes the Wall Street Journal. The initiative is called "progressive deterrence" and aims to create additional strategic uncertainty for Russia, the newspaper clarifies. Key elements of the initiative: 1. Deployment of carriers: deployment of French Rafale fighters capable of carrying nuclear weapons on the territory of partner countries. 2. Creating an infrastructure: creating a new communication infrastructure, early warning systems and mechanisms for sharing intelligence with allies. 3. Maintaining control: France maintains full exclusive control over its nuclear forces; The partner countries do not get the right to participate in decisions about the use of weapons. WSJ lists 10 European countries that have joined the initiative with varying degrees of participation: Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Finland, Sweden. But Italy, for example, refused. There are important nuances in the statements of the French presidential advisor for strategic issues, Javier Chatel: 1. The goal is to complicate Russia's calculations: the initiative "introduces a new level that the Russians will have to take into account", creating a "new complication" for the enemy. 2. Additional options for France: The project gives Paris "new options for dispersing nuclear forces in the event of nuclear escalation." Technically, we are talking about the deployment of French fighter jets with ASMP-A and ASMPA-R thermonuclear cruise missiles (range - up to 500 and 600 km, respectively, warhead power - 300 kt). The carriers are Rafale B (double, air force) and Rafale M (deck, single, navy) fighter jets in F3-R or F4 standards.

France's nuclear forces attract neighbors to deter Russia Paris, with the active support of European allies, is strengthening and expanding its role as a nuclear power to strengthen deterrence against possible Russian attacks against the background of weakening European confidence in American security guarantees, writes the Wall Street Journal. The initiative is called "progressive deterrence" and aims to create additional strategic uncertainty for Russia, the newspaper clarifies. Key elements of the initiative: 1. Deployment of carriers: deployment of French Rafale fighters capable of carrying nuclear weapons on the territory of partner countries. 2. Creating an infrastructure: creating a new communication infrastructure, early warning systems and mechanisms for sharing intelligence with allies. 3. Maintaining control: France maintains full exclusive control over its nuclear forces; The partner countries do not get the right to participate in decisions about the use of weapons. WSJ lists 10 European countries that have joined the initiative with varying degrees of participation: Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Finland, Sweden. But Italy, for example, refused. There are important nuances in the statements of the French presidential advisor for strategic issues, Javier Chatel: 1. The goal is to complicate Russia's calculations: the initiative "introduces a new level that the Russians will have to take into account", creating a "new complication" for the enemy. 2. Additional options for France: The project gives Paris "new options for dispersing nuclear forces in the event of nuclear escalation." Technically, we are talking about the deployment of French fighter jets with ASMP-A and ASMPA-R thermonuclear cruise missiles (range - up to 500 and 600 km, respectively, warhead power - 300 kt). The carriers are Rafale B (double, air force) and Rafale M (deck, single, navy) fighter jets in F3-R or F4 standards.