NATO 'welcomes' Macron's nuclear warhead drive

NATO on Tuesday said it welcomed "the opportunity to expand consultation on nuclear issues" with Paris after President Emmanuel Macron vowed to bolster France's nuclear arsenal.

Macron said on Monday that France would expand its atomic arsenal and could deploy nuclear-armed aircraft to allied countries for the first time, in a potential major shift for Europe's defense at a time of strained ties with the United States.

"France's nuclear deterrent already contributes to the security of the alliance, and we welcome the initiative by President Macron to enhance deterrence further," a NATO official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"We welcome the opportunity to expand consultation on nuclear issues with France in order to ensure a coherent, coordinated approach."

Macron updated France's nuclear doctrine as Russia's conflict with Ukraine grinds into a fifth year and NATO allies worry whether Washington's commitment to Europe is wavering.

Reassurances from US officials that the American deterrent would continue to cover Europe under the NATO alliance have done little to quell European fears of fickleness under US President Donald Trump.

Macron announced that eight European countries, including Britain, Germany, Poland and Sweden, had agreed to participate in what he called a "forward" nuclear deterrence scheme.

NATO's nuclear deterrence relies on the United States, while France remains independent of the alliance's nuclear planning group.

Macron said the efforts by France - the only European Union country with nuclear weapons, and the only on the continent besides Britain - would complement NATO's mission. 

The French president spoke after the launch of US and Israeli attacks against Iran in a campaign that risks destabilizing the Middle East.

"We must strengthen our nuclear deterrent in the face of multiple threats, and we must consider our deterrence strategy deep within the European continent, with full respect for our sovereignty," Macron said.

He announced "the gradual implementation of what I would call advanced deterrence".

"An upgrade of our arsenal is essential," he added. "That's why I ordered an increase in the number of nuclear warheads in our arsenal."

France holds the world's fourth-largest nuclear arsenal, estimated at around 290 warheads.

The Ile Longue base is home to France's four ballistic missile submarines - Le Triomphant, Le Temeraire, Le Vigilant and Le Terrible.

At least one is out at sea at any one time to ensure nuclear deterrence.

NATO chief Mark Rutte insisted earlier this month that "nobody" was pushing to replace the US nuclear umbrella in Europe.