France works with 10 European nations to increase strength as nuclear deterrent - report

France is working with 10 European nations to expand its nuclear deterrent capacity against Russian aggression, as European faith in US security commitments wanes. The 'forward deterrence' plan involves new infrastructure, communications, and intelligence-sharing links, plus deployments of French nuclear-capable Rafale jets across Europe. The UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have joined with varying involvement since President Macron announced it in March. The nuclear force remains under French control.

France is working with 10 other European nations to expand its capacity as a nuclear deterrent against Russian aggression, as Europe's faith in the US's commitment to its security wanes, the Wall Street Journal reported. The 'forward deterrence' plan involves new infrastructure, communications, early-warning and intelligence-sharing links with France's allies, as well as deployments of French nuclear-capable Rafale jet fighters across Europe. The UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have joined with varying degrees of involvement since President Macron announced it in March. Finnish President Alexander Stubb said there are no plans to put nuclear weapons on Finnish soil in peacetime, but the plan creates 'a strategic dilemma for Russia.' Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the plan supplements existing US nuclear guarantees. The nuclear force remains entirely under French control, with Macron resuming production of nuclear devices and keeping stockpile size confidential. The decision was made to make the strategy acceptable across the political spectrum, including to far-right parties.