France goes nuclear amid threats in Europe
President of France Emmanuel Macron instructed to increase the number of nuclear warheads in the French arsenal and to stop publicly disclosing information about their number and deployment.
«We will no longer disclose numbers and locations,» the French leader said, commenting on new approaches to nuclear deterrence.
The Elysee Palace emphasises that the decision is due to the changing security environment and the need to increase strategic uncertainty for potential adversaries.
What is changing
According to French officials, the new policy provides for:
gradual build-up of nuclear capabilities;
Increasing the level of secrecy;
Adaptation of the deterrence doctrine to modern threats.
France has traditionally followed a policy of «sufficient deterrence», maintaining a relatively limited but technologically advanced nuclear arsenal.
Context.
Macron's statement came against the backdrop of a deteriorating security situation in Europe and rising nuclear rhetoric in the world. Paris is the only nuclear power in the EU after the UK left the European Union.
Analysts note that the increased level of secrecy may make it more difficult to assess the nuclear balance in Europe, but at the same time it strengthens the deterrent factor.
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