Germany to join French nuclear drill as Europe strengthens deterrence

Cologne,UPDATED: Jul 17, 2026 22:20 IST

Germany and France said on Friday that the German military will take part in a French nuclear exercise before the end of this year, in a move aimed at deepening European nuclear cooperation. The announcement highlights a wider push in Europe towards greater defence self-reliance amid concerns about the future of US security commitments to the continent.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement after talks at Norvenich air base near Cologne in western Germany. Merz said Germany would join the exercise with conventional forces, while both leaders presented the step as part of closer cooperation on deterrence and European security.

"We will have German conventional forces participate in a nuclear exercise conducted by the French armed forces before the end of this year," Merz said. He added that cooperation with France "complements" the NATO nuclear sharing agreement, to which Germany remains committed. US nuclear bombs are stationed in Germany as part of NATO's nuclear deterrent, and German fighter jets have been certified to potentially carry the weapons in an emergency.

Merz said previous German leaders had refused offers of nuclear cooperation with France, but added that "the world we live in today requires new answers". He said Germany's participation in the exercise would be with conventional means for now. "We are proceeding step by step, it may be that this will result in a new doctrine, but it is far too early to say that today," he said.

Macron said advanced deterrence was important for European collective security "because it creates strategic doubt among our adversaries". He said Germany would have a "vanguard role" in deterrence efforts and that "diluting the presence of the nuclear deterrent" is what confuses enemies. Macron said the cooperation would involve "explaining some aspects of how we operate, sharing certain closely held practices, offering joint exercises, developing joint initiatives and partnerships, and fostering greater ... trust among our teams, experts and military personnel."

Macron did not give details of operational measures. "Complete and absolute transparency is not necessarily the most effective strategy when dealing with adversaries on European soil," he said. He also said enhanced nuclear deterrence would not involve financing from Germany.

On Thursday, French Rafale and German Eurofighter jets took part in a joint in-flight refuelling exercise, seen as a symbolic start to the cooperation. The Rafale jets are designed to deliver nuclear weapons. In early March, Macron said France would increase its nuclear arsenal and invited European partners to strengthen cooperation on nuclear deterrence, at a time when doubts were growing in Europe about US reliability on the continent's defence. France has been the only nuclear power in the 27-nation European Union since Brexit.

Several countries have expressed interest in the French initiative, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Germany's participation is seen as a major boost for the programme, as Berlin is carrying out a rearmament plan aimed at building Europe's strongest conventional military by 2039.

The two leaders also sought to revive bilateral ties after a planned USD 100 billion joint fighter jet programme collapsed in June. The project had aimed to replace the Rafales and Eurofighters used by Germany and Spain by 2040. With Macron nearing the end of his presidency and uncertainty growing over whether his successor will support deeper European cooperation, both sides are looking to secure progress in the months ahead.

The announcement brings together France's push for stronger European nuclear cooperation and Germany's growing defence role, while keeping Berlin within NATO's existing nuclear framework. It also adds fresh momentum to efforts by the two countries to strengthen security cooperation at a time of wider uncertainty in Europe.

With PTI Inputs

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