France's nuclear weapons and Europe: Options for a better coordinated deterrence policy

Liviu Horovitz and Lydia Wachs

No 15/2023, SWP Comments from Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), German Institute for International and Security Affairs

Abstract: Replacing the US nuclear guarantee with a French nuclear umbrella for Europe would face major political and logistical challenges. Nevertheless, given the growing uncertainty in Europe and Asia, the German government should consider scenarios and options that go beyond today's deterrence architecture. Above all, it is conceivable that France would play a more visible complementary role to US extended nuclear deterrence. This could take various forms - from strengthened consultations to joint nuclear exercises. Even though any such steps are currently unlikely, it appears that now more than ever, US and European interests are aligning in a way that might allow for a better coordinated Western deterrence policy.

Keywords: Frankreich; Europa; USA; Atomwaffen; nukleare Abschreckung; französischer Nuklearschirm; nukleare Teilhabe; France; Europe; USA; nuclear weapons; nuclear deterrence; French nuclear umbrella; nuclear sharing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:swpcom:152023

DOI: 10.18449/2023C15

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