Emmanuel Macron's speech marks a major shift in French nuclear doctrine in the interests of enhanced European security.
The fundamentals of France's robust, effective and independent deterrent have been the subject of broad national consensus since the 1950s, as demonstrated by political responses in France.
A pillar of France's defence strategy, its nuclear deterrent is credible, respected, recognised as such and operational. It is a guarantee of stability and peace.
The reassertion of the complementary nature of conventional forces and nuclear weapons – specialists refer to this as “shouldering” – opens up real prospects for defence cooperation in Europe at a time when all EU Member States have embarked on a spectacular rearmament programme.
The strengthening of France's nuclear deterrent capabilities is a response to threats, proliferation and the rise of new nations in this field, while reminding us that any state that attacks France, “however powerful it may be, (...) however vast it may be, will not recover”.
The opening of in-depth discussions on European security with a number of European partners highlights France's new concept of “forward deterrence”, which takes the current situation into account. The security of a European country cannot stop at its borders. Considering the continent’s territory as a new “strategic depth” helps to bolster deterrence and security for all.
Several Member States have already shown interest by engaging in these exchanges and, in some cases, by signing agreements with France. While these agreements are long-standing with the United Kingdom, they are new with Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Greece and Sweden.
This points to a strengthening of European security with concrete advances expected towards autonomy that does not call NATO into question but gives European solidarity expression in defence that has never been achieved before.
This French development could well, in the long term, constitute a veritable European revolution.
