Macron surprised: France is increasing its nuclear arsenal – and is considering something unheard of

President of France Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that France could temporarily move its nuclear weapons abroad for the first time.

“Today we can take a new step in France’s deterrence. We are entering a path that I call advanced deterrence,” French President Macron said in a speech at the Île Longue submarine base in Brittany, where French nuclear submarines are located.

According to Macron, France can in some circumstances share its strategic resources with its allies, but the decision-making power regarding the use of nuclear weapons and their planning will not be shared.

The new “advanced deterrence” doctrine introduced by Macron includes deepening cooperation with, for example, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece and Sweden.

Sweden has confirmed that it is holding preliminary talks with France about nuclear deterrence. Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson said at the end of January 2026 that Sweden has started discussions with France and Britain about possible nuclear weapons cooperation.

Under France’s new doctrine, European partners could participate in exercises or send conventional forces to support operations.

“It also enables the temporary deployment of elements of our strategic air force in allied countries,” Macron said. It could mean the temporary transfer of French nuclear weapons abroad.

“This is a real strategic convergence between our countries, our aim is to give real depth to European defense,” Macron said.

He also promised that France will start increasing its country’s nuclear weapons capacity. Macron announced that France’s new nuclear submarine, L’Invincible, will become operational in 2036.

France spends nearly six billion euros a year to maintain 290 nuclear weapons that can be launched from submarines and aircraft.

Finland’s role

President of the Republic Alexander Stubb stated in February (February 11) at the meeting of the Association of Political Journalists that Finland will not become a nuclear weapon state.

“We are part of NATO’s nuclear weapons planning, but we are not and will not be a nuclear weapons state,” Stubb said.

NATO’s nuclear deterrent is based on the nuclear arsenals of the United States, Britain and France. However, France does not participate in NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) and does not share decision-making power over the use of its own nuclear weapons.

Under the NATO Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, B61-12 nuclear bombs have been deployed in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey, but the United States has full control over the use of the weapons.

According to information from Kauppalehti, the European NATO countries have to consider the development of smaller nuclear weapons, so that the deterrence against Russia’s nuclear weapons would also be reciprocal and of the same magnitude in Europe.

Finland participates in the maintenance of NATO’s nuclear deterrence without restrictions: Finland is involved in NATO’s nuclear weapons policy planning group and participates in NATO’s annual nuclear weapons exercises.

However, participation in the exercises does not mean an automatic obligation for Finland to transport or use nuclear weapons.

In a practical situation, roles are defined in NATO according to the position, willingness and equipment of each member country. For example, Finland’s current and future fighter jets are not equipped to carry nuclear weapons.

A lieutenant general who served as Finland’s military representative in NATO until the turn of the year Kim Jäämeri said Kauppalehti published in December in the interviewthat according to him, Finland should not have its own nuclear weapons.

“Finland’s advantage is that US weapons are used by the alliance. Geographical proximity to Russia makes their maintenance in Finland unrealistic, especially with current systems that are based on aircraft,” Jäämeri said.

However, according to him, there should be more discussion about nuclear weapons in Finland and it should be more diverse.