France and Great Britain conducted joint nuclear exercises for the first time
France and Great Britain for the first time practiced joint actions during French Air Force exercises simulating a nuclear strike. British Typhoon fighters and French Rafale jets participated in the maneuvers, which took place on October 20 over the Mediterranean Sea. This was reported by Reuters, citing the French Ministry of Defense.
During the exercises, codenamed Rummy, French Rafale jets took off from the Saint-Dizier airbase in the northeast of the country. Royal Air Force aircraft from Great Britain accompanied them during the practice of a simulated nuclear strike.
French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vatrin stated that the independence of the two countries' nuclear forces does not prevent them from cooperating. British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting, in turn, noted that potential adversaries should not doubt the unity of London and Paris on issues of European security.
In 2025, the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in the nuclear sphere amid tensions with Russia and uncertainty surrounding American security guarantees. In December, British military personnel for the first time attended French nuclear exercises Poker, during which strategic aviation actions were practiced. At the same time, Paris and London held the first meeting of a joint group on nuclear policy and military operations.
In March 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to increase the country's nuclear arsenal and proposed expanding allies' participation in the nuclear deterrence system. The program provides for joint exercises and the temporary deployment of French Rafale fighters, armed with nuclear weapons, on the territory of other states. Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark announced their participation in this initiative.
France remains the only country in the European Union that possesses its own nuclear weapons. According to Reuters, its arsenal comprises about 290 nuclear warheads. Annually, Paris spends 5.6 billion euros on their maintenance. Great Britain has about 225 warheads, while Russia and the United States each have more than 5000.
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