German conventional forces have been announced to be set to participate in a French nuclear forces exercise later in 2026, marking a major landmark in defense cooperation between the two countries.
The move marks a historic step in Franco-German strategic cooperation and reflects Europe’s growing emphasis on strengthening its own nuclear deterrence to reduce reliance on U.S. security guarantees.
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The hostile agreement follows talks between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, during which both leaders also confirmed the deployment of French nuclear-capable Rafale fighters to Noervenich Air Base in Germany as the first operational step in their expanded strategic partnership.
Germany and France have also agreed to establish a closer strategic dialogue linking conventional forces, long-range precision strike weapons, missile defence, and nuclear deterrence.
The two countries stated that this cooperation is intended to strengthen European deterrence while complementing, rather than replacing, NATO’s existing nuclear posture and nuclear-sharing arrangements.
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The German Air Force notably already trains to launch nuclear strikes under a nuclear sharing agreement with the USA, with multiple analysts having speculated that a similar agreement could be established with France should the country expand the number of warheads it has in service.
Germany and France are both planning to field new land-based strategic missile systems that could potentially be used for nuclear delivery, with French President Emmanuel Macron having pledged in January that his country and its European partners will work towards expedited development of new long-range weapons.
He highlighted the need to field a similar capability to that provided by Russia’s new Oreshnik intermediate range hypersonic ballistic missile.
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The German Defence Ministry in mid-July confirmed the procurement of the Typhon Mid-Range Capability missile system and Tomahawk Block V cruise missiles from the USA, which provide the capability to strike targets across much of Western Russia.
In March 2025 President Emmanuel Macron announced the planned opening of a fourth airbase hosting with nuclear-capable fighter aircraft, stating that Luxeuil Air Base in eastern France was set to host Rafale fighters capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
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Citing the ongoing war in Ukraine as a factor which had changed the situation, the senator for the region, Cedric Perrin, confirmed that the first Rafale squadron would arrive at Luxeuil in 2032, and would gain an operational capability the following year, followed by a second operational squadron in 2036.
The German Air Force in 2022 placed its first order for F-35A fifth generation fighters, and has since significantly expanded planned numbers, with the primary goal of modernizing its nuclear delivery capabilities under nuclear sharing agreements with the United States.
Military Watch Magazine / ABC FLash Point News 2026.
Going for a nuclear war to get a hand on the Russian minerals, oil and gas reserves, how childish and irresponsible to blow up the planet and be left empty handed?
It shows each of those countries attacking Russia do not care a hoot for their own citizens who in the main will have no nuclear shelters to hide in — have no private jets to fly off to New Zealand– nor financial means to buy private islands but men-women-children-babies will be dust on any wall still left standing . At least Russia has some public nuke shelters and those Americans who I have watched on TV having nuke shelters built by companies who boast as being the “biggest ” in the world like “Atlas” ( USA ) built to a… Read more »
I am not Mr.Putin I do have respect for him for his Pacifist dogma but my one worry is that it will be at the expense of millions of ordinary Russian citizens.
After studying him I understand where he comes from and he wants Peace- so do I but not at the expense of Zelensky hitting Russian civilians – sorry to say I would be a lot more aggressive regardless of world opinion thats known as protecting your own population.