France Ramps Up Nuclear Spending
Speaking on France Inter radio, Vautrin said the surge in spending follows President Emmanuel Macron's announcement Monday of an increased warhead count under a revamped doctrine of "advanced nuclear deterrence," designed to confront what Macron described as a deteriorating and increasingly complex global security environment.
Despite mounting interest from multiple European nations in sheltering under France's nuclear umbrella, Vautrin was unequivocal: command and financing stay in Paris.
"What must be kept in mind is that this sovereignty from beginning to end does not vary, it remains a French decision, financed entirely by France. And that is the very foundation of our doctrine," she said.
Vautrin also pushed back against the notion that France's expanded posture marks a break from tradition, noting that official defense documents dating back to 1972 already stated that France's vital interests extend well beyond its own borders.
The cost of growing France's stockpile — currently standing at approximately 290 warheads — will be absorbed through an additional €36 billion allocation on top of the previously approved €413 billion framework under an upcoming revision to the 2024–2030 Military Programming Law (LPM).
The announcement lands against a backdrop of intensifying regional conflict. Ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran have killed several top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting US military assets, with the confirmed death toll now standing at 787.
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