Berlin will send conventional forces into French nuclear drills this year, a step aimed at mapping where Berlin and Paris can jointly strengthen deterrence in Europe.
Germany’s conventional forces will join this year’s French armed forces’ nuclear deterrence exercises as part of deepening strategic cooperation between Berlin and Paris.
This was announced by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a joint press conference with the President of France Emmanuel Macron after the meeting of the German-French Council of Ministers in Brussels.
Alongside working on a joint doctrine, we will this year also involve Germany’s conventional forces in the French armed forces’ nuclear exercises
– Merz noted
According to the chancellor, Germany’s participation in the French nuclear exercises should help identify areas where the two countries can jointly strengthen deterrence in Europe.
We will participate in such exercises for the first time with conventional forces to determine where we can achieve shared goals, namely – improving deterrence in Europe
– Merz emphasized
He stressed that such cooperation would complement Germany’s role in nuclear deterrence within NATO, not replace it.
The chancellor said that the relevant decisions were taken in the morning during the German-French Council on Defence and Security at the Nörvenich air base. German and French service members were present at the event, and for the first time the French fighter Rafale, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, was demonstrated.
This clearly demonstrates: in the realm of deterrence we are embarking on a new joint path
– Merz emphasized
According to Merz, Germany and France have established a strategic steering group to study options for further strengthening their joint deterrence.
We created a strategic steering group between our two countries, whose sole task is to determine how we can strengthen our joint deterrence
– the Chancellor stated
Merz stressed that the aim of deterrence is to avoid a scenario in which Germany and its partners would have to wage war. According to the chancellor, changes in the international security situation highlight the need to reinforce a common response.
We are moving step by step. Perhaps this will yield a new doctrine. But today it is still too early to talk about it
– he concluded
In March, the parties agreed to deepen cooperation in the field of strategic deterrence, stressing that such collaboration should complement, not replace NATO’s nuclear deterrence and Germany’s participation in the NATO nuclear sharing mechanism.