French President Emmanuel Macron announced on March 2 at the Île-Longue submarine base that France will expand its nuclear arsenal and is prepared to deploy nuclear forces on the territory of allied European countries. Macron stated that the next 50 years will be an era of nuclear weapons, and in the current period of geopolitical confrontations, it is necessary to strengthen deterrence capabilities against threats.

The president revealed plans to launch a new nuclear submarine named "Invincible" in 2036 and announced the phased implementation of an "advanced deterrence" system. He noted that eight European countries have joined the new strategy: Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden.

Macron emphasized that the absolute right to decide on the use of nuclear weapons remains with the French president, and allies are not given absolute guarantees of protection. Additionally, France will no longer disclose information about its nuclear arsenal stockpiles.

According to Le Monde, France possesses the world's fourth-largest nuclear arsenal, estimated at approximately 290 warheads. Reuters explains that U.S. President Donald Trump's rapprochement with Russia over the war in Ukraine and his tough stance toward traditional allies have alarmed European governments, leading some countries to express interest in expanding France's "nuclear umbrella."

Source: www.gazeta.uz