How does France’s nuclear deterrent contribute to the defense of Europe?

Although this contribution remains little known, France’s nuclear deterrent, serving first and foremost to defend France’s vital interests, also contributes to the defense of Europe. The Franco-British partnership in the nuclear sphere, which has developed since the 1990s and is continuing to grow stronger, stands as firm evidence of this European dimension. In March 2026, in a speech closely followed by France’s European partners and its adversaries alike, President Emmanuel Macron announced a new concept for French nuclear deterrence: “forward deterrence” (dissuasion avancée). This article aims to explain the origins of this concept, outline its main pillars, and describe the partnerships that are sought. It then discusses the relationship with the U.S. doctrine of “extended deterrence”, and finally offers some ethical considerations with regard to the current strategic context and nuclear doctrine.