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Europe Eyes Its Own Nuclear Shield as Trust in US Security Wanes
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Amid growing security concerns and questions about long-term US commitment to NATO, European countries have initiated discussions on enhancing their own nuclear deterrence capabilities.
According to The Moscow Times, Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that preliminary talks have taken place with the UK and France on nuclear cooperation, while The Economist reported that London and Paris have already agreed to coordinate aspects of their nuclear posture.
Until recently, European nuclear deterrence remained the domain of the United States, with Washington maintaining approximately 100 B61 nuclear bombs at bases in five NATO countries: Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey. These weapons are under US control but could be delivered by aircraft of host nations with US approval.
However, The Moscow Times reports that a shift in strategic thinking is underway. Citing threats from Russia and concerns over US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy stance, Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter proposed a Northern European nuclear program in January. The idea included potential German involvement.
The push for independent European nuclear planning gained traction in 2025 when the UK and France agreed to “coordinate” nuclear responses and created a bilateral nuclear coordination group, as reported by The Economist.
France later invited the UK to observe its quarterly “Poker” nuclear drills for the first time, which the French Ministry of Defense described as a sign of “strong bilateral trust.”
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Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson recently acknowledged that conversations with the UK and France had occurred, although he emphasized that the talks were “not very concrete” at this stage.
The Economist notes that Poland and several German politicians, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz, have also expressed interest in nuclear protection mechanisms involving France or the UK.
President Emmanuel Macron has ruled out integrating France’s nuclear arsenal into NATO’s command but has indicated a willingness to explore how French capabilities could contribute to broader European defense. In response to Merz’s public appeal in 2025, Macron agreed to initiate a “strategic debate” on the matter.
Experts from the Paris-based Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) suggest that European collaboration could begin with joint air force drills simulating nuclear delivery missions.
Over time, allied navies and air forces might support French nuclear submarines and aircraft, similar to NATO support arrangements for US forces.
According to The Economist, unarmed French nuclear-capable aircraft have already been deployed to Sweden and Poland as part of symbolic gestures. A more advanced phase of cooperation could involve hosting such aircraft—and potentially even nuclear weapons—on the territory of other European allies.
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The United States remains cautious. The Moscow Times highlights concerns in Washington over replacing the American nuclear umbrella with smaller arsenals—France possesses roughly 290 warheads, and the UK around 225. Under the New START treaty, due to expire in February, the US and Russia are each allowed up to 1,550 deployed warheads and 700 delivery systems.
Earlier, on November 18, Airbus Chairman René Obermann urged European powers to develop a joint tactical nuclear deterrence program in response to Russia’s deployment of Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad and Belarus.
He described Europe’s vulnerability to regional nuclear threats as an “Achilles heel” and called for a coordinated initiative involving Germany, France, the UK, and other willing nations.
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