Macron orders nuclear warhead increase and unveils ‘advanced deterrence’ plan for Europe

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French President Emmanuel Macron ordered an increase in the country’s nuclear warhead stockpile and vowed he would not flinch if the country’s “vital interests” were threatened, in a landmark speech from a ballistic-missile submarine base in north-western France.

“I have ordered an increase in the number of nuclear warheads in our arsenal,” the president said.

“We will no longer disclose the size of our nuclear arsenal, unlike in the past.”

“I will never hesitate to take the decisions that are essential to protect our vital interests. If we were to use our arsenal, no state could avoid it,” Macron said in one of the strongest lines of the address.

France has an estimated 290 nuclear warheads, according to the latest figures released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The speech comes as European security is being tested on multiple fronts, from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine to the expanding Iran war.

French officials had underlined that the address was planned well in advance and remained on schedule despite the escalating Middle East conflict.

Eight EU countries on board, according to Macron

During his 45-minute speech, the French head of state outlined what he called a “progressive implementation” of an “advanced nuclear deterrence strategy.”

“The advanced deterrence we propose is a distinct effort, perfectly complementary to NATO’s, both strategically and technically,” he said, positioning it as an additional European layer rather than a NATO alternative.

Macron said France could carry out “circumstantial deployments” of strategic capabilities linked to nuclear deterrence “among our European allies,” beginning with joint exercises.

The French leader also said that eight European countries are interested in France’s “advanced deterrence” program, and insisted that the approach would be carried out “in full transparency with the United States.”

According to the president, these countries include the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark.

These nations will be able to host “strategic air forces” from the French Air Force, enabling them to “spread out across the European continent”.

‘No sharing of the final decision’

Macron further drew a hard line on sovereignty and control, stating there would be “no sharing of the final decision.”

“There will also be no sharing of vital interests, which will remain a sovereign assessment for our country,” he added.

He also announced that Paris, London and Berlin would “work together on very long-range missile projects,” presenting it as part of a broader European effort to deter and defend in a more volatile security landscape.

“This will give us new options for managing escalation in a conventional manner,” the French president emphasised. This collaboration is part of the European Long Range Strike Approach launched in 2024, which also includes Italy, Poland and Sweden.

Macron also announced that the future ballistic-missile submarine that will fly the French flag “will be named Invincible and will sail in 2036.”

France is the only nuclear power inside the EU, which is one reason Macron’s words were closely watched by European capitals.

Globally, nine countries are thought to or known to possess nuclear weapons: Russia, the US, France, the UK, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea.

Only the first five are recognised as nuclear-weapon states under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.