France and Germany announced the creation of a high-level nuclear coordination group. This was announced on March 2 following a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The group will serve as a framework for dialogue on nuclear doctrine and coordination of strategic cooperation. Specifically, consultations are planned on the optimal combination of conventional weapons, missile defense systems, and French nuclear forces.
“Emmanuel Macron and I have established a nuclear coordination group in which we will coordinate on deterrence issues. We intend to take concrete steps by the end of this year, including Germany’s participation in France’s nuclear exercises in a conventional capacity,” Chancellor Merz wrote on the social media platform X.
The joint declaration between the two countries emphasizes that Franco-German cooperation will complement, but not replace, NATO’s nuclear deterrence and existing nuclear planning agreements within the alliance.
The announcement followed President Macron’s speech, in which he declared his intention to increase France’s nuclear arsenal and develop the concept of “advanced deterrence” in a European format. Paris has already begun consultations with eight partners: the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark. Germany has been identified as a “key partner” in this process.
Experts call the initiative the most significant change in French nuclear policy in the past 30 years. It reflects Europe’s response to the growing threat from Russia, instability in the Middle East, and questions about long-term security guarantees from the United States.