🔶 Expansion of the French nuclear umbrella for some European countries.
France, in cooperation with its European allies, is strengthening and expanding its role as a nuclear weapons power; The effort is intended to increase deterrence against possible Russian attacks while at the same time reducing Europe's confidence in American security guarantees.
This plan, dubbed "forward deterrence" by French President Emmanuel Macron, envisions the deployment of French nuclear-capable Rafale fighter jets across Europe, as well as the creation of new infrastructure, communications systems, early warning and information exchanges with these allies.
The ultimate goal of this plan is to create greater strategic uncertainty for Russian President Vladimir Putin; He who owns one of the largest nuclear weapons stockpiles in the world, and since the military attack of his country's army on Ukraine in 2022, has repeatedly raised the specter of nuclear war. Gazafia Shetel, Macron's strategic advisor, recently said at the security conference in Warsaw: "This action creates a new complication for the enemy, because it creates a new layer that the Russians have to appreciate."
He added that this project also gives France "new possibilities for the dispersion and expansion of its nuclear forces in the event of escalation and a nuclear crisis."
Since the announcement of the first phase of this program by Macron in March, 10 European countries, including the UK, Germany, Poland and the Nordic countries, have joined this French initiative with varying degrees of participation.
According to European officials, the new structure of secure communications, early warning and information exchange could also help conventional defense if the US does not support its NATO allies.
The Norwegian Foreign Minister, Spanbart Eid, said: "We live in very tense geopolitical times and France has this strategic capability." He emphasized that the French plan "does not replace anything, but complements the existing nuclear guarantees from the American umbrella".
France's nuclear doctrine foresees the use of nuclear weapons when the country's "vital interests" are at risk.
In his speech in March when he announced this new policy, Macron made it clear that these vital interests are not limited to the borders of France and have European dimensions.
Macron said: "Is it conceivable that the survival of our closest partners would be in danger, without our vital interests being compromised? ".