French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech next to the submarine Le Temeraire at the nuclear submarines navy base of Ile Longue, western France, March 2, 2026. YOAN VALAT / AP
President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday, March 2, that France would increase the number of its nuclear warheads and cooperate with eight European countries to help protect the continent as the clock ticks on his presidency. His speech at France's Ile Longue nuclear submarine base came after US and Israeli attacks against Iran in a campaign that risks destabilizing the Middle East.
Macron updated France's nuclear doctrine as Russia's war against Ukraine grinds into a fifth year and NATO allies worry about Washington's wavering commitment to Europe. "We must strengthen our nuclear deterrent in the face of multiple threats, and we must consider our deterrence strategy deep within the European continent, with full respect for our sovereignty," Macron said. He announced "the gradual implementation of what I would call advanced deterrence."
Macron announced a series of concrete measures in a bid to bolster Europe's security as France's allies are concerned that a possible win by the eurosceptic far-right Rassemblement National party of Marine Le Pen in next year's presidential election could undermine cooperation in Europe.
