The president of the Republic Emmanuel Macron He is traveling this Monday to Île Longue, in the Brest harbor (Finistère), to deliver a speech on French nuclear doctrine. He is scheduled to speak in front of a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), the embodiment of the oceanic component of deterrence.
This trip, planned well in advance, comes at a time of particularly high international tension. Île Longue was not chosen at random: it is on this strategic base that France's four SSBNs are stationed. At any given time, at least one of them is on patrol to guarantee the country's nuclear response capability. Those close to the President are referring to it as "an important moment in his term," likely to signal "quite significant developments."
A possible European dimension reaffirmed
The speech is expected to follow on from the one delivered in February 2020, when the president proposed a "strategic dialogue" to European partners on the role of French nuclear deterrence in the continent's security. He then mentioned the possibility of "joint exercises" and enhanced cooperation with certain countries.
France is the only European Union member state, along with the United Kingdom, to possess nuclear weapons. Other European countries benefit from the extended US nuclear deterrent within the framework of NATO. While Washington calls on Europeans to strengthen their strategic autonomy, Emmanuel Macron advocates for a balance between French national doctrine and targeted cooperation with "key countries."
These stances regularly draw criticism from some members of the opposition, who fear a weakening of national sovereignty. The head of state, however, has repeatedly stated that "France will not pay for the security of others," while also noting that discussions on a European dimension of deterrence date back to the time of General de Gaulle.
