In an era marked by the erosion of US security guarantees and rising geopolitical tensions, French President Emmanuel Macron has revived the idea of a strategic dialogue on Europe’s nuclear future. His proposal to extend the role of France’s nuclear deterrent beyond national borders is presented as a response to the need for greater European strategic autonomy. Yet behind this renewed ambition lies a complex web of obstacles: limited arsenal size, doctrinal constraints, fiscal pressures and the enduring reluctance of many European partners to engage seriously with nuclear questions. This article explores the tension between France’s nuclear vision and the political and logistical realities that continue to hinder the emergence of a truly European deterrent.
These issues will also be the focus of a dedicated evening conference organised by the Royal Higher Institute for Defence on 19 June, addressing the European dimension of France’s nuclear deterrence.
Research lines: Defence capabilities and technologies; Europe; Transatlantic relations
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