France and Germany reach nuclear deal as Europe builds up defences

Lead

Germany and France have committed to deeper defence cooperation, including on nuclear deterrence, with Germany set to participate in a French military nuclear exercise for the first time this year. The announcement came during a joint press conference on Friday, as European nations seek to bolster their defences amid concerns about US security commitments to the continent.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said German conventional forces would take part in a nuclear exercise conducted by the French armed forces before the end of the year. He described the move as a step-by-step process that could eventually lead to a new "doctrine," though he cautioned that it was too early to say.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the event varied in emphasis. Al Jazeera framed the announcement as part of a new shared deterrence strategy, highlighting European defence self-reliance amid uncertainty over US security commitments. France 24 emphasised the broader context of defence cooperation, noting the collapse of a flagship joint jet fighter project and the political pressures facing French President Emmanuel Macron. The South China Morning Post focused on the complementarity of the cooperation with NATO's existing nuclear sharing agreement, and noted the presence of US nuclear bombs in Germany.

All three outlets reported that Germany's participation in the exercise would be with conventional means for now, and that France would retain control over nuclear decision-making.

Key Claims

• Germany will participate in a French military nuclear exercise before the end of this year, as announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
• The cooperation is described as complementary to NATO's nuclear sharing agreement, to which Germany remains committed.
• US nuclear bombs are stationed in Germany as part of NATO's nuclear deterrent, and German fighter jets have been certified to potentially carry them in an emergency.
• France will retain tight control over nuclear decision-making, according to President Macron.
• The move follows the collapse of a joint jet fighter project between the two countries earlier this year.
• Macron has an urgent need to make progress in defence cooperation before next spring's presidential election, in which far-right leader Marine Le Pen is a frontrunner.
• The United States has revealed plans to cut some military assets assigned to NATO operations in Europe.
• Macron announced an increase in the French nuclear arsenal earlier this year.
• Germany is implementing a major rearmament plan to build Europe's strongest conventional military by 2039.

Perspectives

German government: Chancellor Merz stressed that the Franco-German cooperation would not replace NATO's nuclear umbrella, saying it "complements our commitment to NATO's nuclear sharing and deterrence arrangements." He noted that previous German leaders had refused offers of nuclear cooperation with France, but "the world we live in today requires new answers." He also said Germany's "hand remains extended towards France" regardless of who French voters pick in the upcoming election.

French government: President Macron said Germany would play a "vanguard role" in deterrence, but has stressed that France will retain tight control over nuclear decision-making. Macron has an urgent need to make progress in this area before the presidential election, according to France 24.

NATO: The cooperation is seen as complementing NATO's existing nuclear sharing arrangement, under which US nuclear bombs are stationed in Germany and German aircraft are certified to potentially carry them in an emergency.