In a significant shift in European security strategy, French President Emmanuel Macron has signaled a potential expansion of France’s nuclear deterrence to its European partners. This marks a bold step in France’s strategic vision, as Europe grapples with uncertainties over U.S. military commitments.
In a national address on Wednesday, Macron stated that France is open to extending its nuclear protection to allies while cautioning that Europe must prepare for the possibility that the US may not “remain by our side” in the Ukraine-Russia war.
Macron’s Nuclear Overture To Europe
Macron’s remarks come as EU leaders push for greater security autonomy amid uncertainty over Washington’s military and financial support for Ukraine.
With the US commitment to European security in question, leaders across Europe are confronting the challenges of an increasingly unpredictable transatlantic alliance.
“Our nuclear deterrence protects us—it is complete, sovereign, and entirely French,” Macron emphasized in a live broadcast on his official social media channels, signalling France’s growing willingness to take a leadership role in European security.
He emphasized the necessity for Europe to enhance its defense capabilities and sustain support for Ukraine in the ongoing war against Russia.
France’s Commitment To Strategic Autonomy
France has long championed strategic autonomy, resisting dependency on external defense programs.
A prime example is its refusal to procure the U.S.-developed F-35 stealth fighter. Instead, France has prioritized its domestic defense industry to safeguard its sovereignty in military capabilities.
The Rafale: A Solo Journey
France’s pursuit of defense independence dates back to the late 1970s when the French Air Force and Navy sought to replace and consolidate their existing aircraft fleets.
Initially, France was part of the multinational “Future European Fighter Aircraft” development programme, effectively beginning in 1983, (which became the Eurofighter Typhoon later) alongside the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
However, in 1985, disagreements over design authority and operational requirements led France to exit the consortium and pursue its own fighter jet development program.
In July 1986, Dassault Aviation built a technology demonstrator, leading to the development of the Rafale.
Unlike other European fighters of its era, the Rafale was designed and manufactured almost entirely by France, involving key domestic defense contractors like Dassault, Thales, and Safran.
Why France Rejected The F-35?
While in the early 1990s, many NATO nations collaborated with the US on the fifth-generation fighter jet (F-35) Joint Strike Fighter program, France opted out to maintain control over its defense capabilities.
The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, an American company, remained the primary contractor. With key partners Northrop Grumman and UK-based BAE Systems, it became a flagship multinational defense program, with 19 countries purchasing or committing to the aircraft.
The F-35 program involved multiple U.S. allies, each contributing to its development, production, and deployment. While the U.S. led with primary funding, research, and development, NATO partners and close allies provided financial and technological support. The UK contributed to software integration, Italy handled co-production, and the Netherlands contributed to mission systems.
Canada, Australia, Denmark, and Norway assisted with financial, operational, and maintenance aspects. Turkey was initially a key player but was later removed, raising concerns about future defense collaborations.
Despite its technological advancements and cost-sharing benefits, the F-35 program required participating nations to align with US defense priorities and share sensitive operational data.
France, committed to strategic autonomy, opted to develop its own advanced fighter instead of joining the F-35 program. Prioritizing sovereignty, it chose the Dassault Rafale over the F-35, maintaining independence despite being a NATO member.
F-35 vs. Rafale: Competing For Global Dominance
The American F-35 and French Rafale have emerged as leading Western fighter jets competing for export contracts worldwide.
Introduced in 2001, the Rafale serves both the French Air Force and Navy, with widespread global adoption. Currently, the Rafale is in service with the air forces of Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, Indonesia, the UAE, and Serbia, reinforcing its international appeal.
Dassault Aviation, in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space, is now developing the New Generation Fighter (NGF) to replace the Rafale, Germany’s Eurofighter Typhoon, and Spain’s F/A-18 Hornet by the 2030–2040 timeframe.
In contrast, the F-35, a fifth-generation fighter, offers three variants: the land-based F-35A, the carrier-capable F-35B, and the Navy’s F-35C. With 19 countries acquiring or committing to the F-35—seven of which are cost-sharing partners—the aircraft represents a multinational approach to defense collaboration.
Despite being developed by a smaller economy with a fraction of the U.S. defense industrial base, the Rafale remains central to French sovereignty. Unlike the F-35, which integrates multiple nations into its supply chain, the Rafale symbolizes France’s strategic independence and self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
The Future Of European Combat Aviation
France’s commitment to independent defense development continued with the launch of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program in 2017.
Initially a Franco-German initiative, Spain joined in 2019, forming a trilateral effort to develop a next-generation fighter jet by the 2030s.
This project aims to replace France’s Rafale, Germany’s Eurofighter Typhoon, and Spain’s F/A-18 Hornet, reinforcing Europe’s self-reliance in military aviation.
Meanwhile, the Rafale has solidified its global presence. It now serves in the air forces of Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, Indonesia, the UAE, and Serbia.
This underscores France’s success in maintaining an independent and globally competitive defense industry.
France’s Leadership In European Defense
This isn’t the first time European nations have questioned the strength of the transatlantic alliance, especially during Donald Trump’s presidency. In March 2019, while Trump was serving his first term, then French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly expressed concerns about the U.S.’s long-term commitment to NATO and implicitly criticized Trump’s approach to the military alliance.
Also, Macron’s push for accelerating EU sovereignty traces back to his 2017 Sorbonne speech, where he advocated for a self-reliant Europe capable of defending itself and leveraging the bloc’s economic power as a strategic tool.
Macron’s nuclear deterrence proposition and France’s continued commitment to indigenous defense development highlight its growing leadership in European security.
As geopolitical uncertainties persist, France’s strategic autonomy offers a model for Europe to strengthen its defense capabilities and reduce dependence on external powers.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for ET Prime. She has over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail.com
