NATO on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) said it welcomed “the opportunity to expand consultation on nuclear issues” with Paris after President Emmanuel Macron vowed to bolster France’s nuclear arsenal.
Mr. Macron said on Monday (March 2) that France would expand its atomic arsenal and could deploy nuclear-armed aircraft to allied countries for the first time, in a potential major shift for Europe’s defence at a time of strained ties with the United States.
“France’s nuclear deterrent already contributes to the security of the alliance, and we welcome the initiative by President Macron to enhance deterrence further,” a NATO official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“We welcome the opportunity to expand consultation on nuclear issues with France in order to ensure a coherent, coordinated approach,” he said
Mr. Macron updated France’s nuclear doctrine as Russia’s war against Ukraine grinds into a fifth year and NATO allies worry whether Washington’s commitment to Europe is wavering.
