France has not ruled out the idea of extending its nuclear umbrella to cover wider Europe, but any such step would need to be led by the French President and is not imminent, the country’s Minister of Economics and Finance has said, APA reports citing Al Arabiya.
Speaking with Al Arabiya’s Chief International Anchor Hadley Gamble at the SEMAFOR World Economy Summit on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, Éric Lombard responded to suggestions that France might extend its nuclear protection to other European allies as US commitment to NATO comes under question.
“We are not there yet at all,” Lombard said. “There are demands of our partners to discuss on nuclear defense... That really relates exclusively to the President.”
France is the only nuclear-armed state in the European Union. The United Kingdom also maintains a nuclear deterrent, but does so outside of EU structures and relies on Trident missiles rented from the United States through a shared US Navy missile pool. While the submarines and warheads are British, the targeting and launch systems are American, meaning the UK deterrent is ultimately dependent on Washington.
France’s deterrent — known as the “Force de Frappe” — is entirely sovereign. It is controlled by the French President and supported by domestic submarines, aircraft and missiles. In 2023, France spent €5.3 billion on nuclear forces, with that figure expected to rise in the coming defence budget cycles.
The idea of extending France’s nuclear umbrella has gained traction since President Macron first proposed “a strategic dialogue” in 2020.
The discussion has taken on fresh urgency as President Trump has questioned NATO members he considers “freeloaders,” raising concerns across Europe about the durability of American guarantees.
“Nuclear deterrence does not prevent war,” Lombard said. “We have a war in Europe between a country with nuclear weapons — Russia — and a country which does not.”
“Our priority is to build a conventional defense. That will be the rule of the game in the next decade.”
He also told Gamble that although France would increase defence spending, it would do so by reallocating within existing budget limits — not by raising taxes.
“Within the same level of expense, we have to increase our share of defense, and so we have to cut the rest proportionally,” he said. “The budget will not increase taxes for corporate or for people. What we do — we just maintain expense flat.”
Lombard also addressed renewed cooperation between the United Kingdom and the European Union, particularly on defence procurement, in light of a reported agreement that would give British firms access to the European Defence Fund and allow EU countries to purchase more British weapons, including from BAE Systems.
“What is happening in the world today... it’s clear that our British friends want to get closer again to the union,” Lombard said.
“My opposite number, Rachel Reeves, attended the closing dinner of the summit of European Minister of Finance. I can share a secret with you — there’s no media” Lombard joked.
“We’re talking about every week together on various issues. And that’s great, because even if Great Britain is not party anymore to European Union, they are still in Europe, and especially when it gets to defense.” he told Gamble.
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