Germany to join French nuclear exercise after Macron-Merz defence talks near Cologne

Germany will take part in a French nuclear exercise later this year, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday after defence talks with French President Emmanuel Macron near Cologne. The announcement came as the two leaders sought to deepen military cooperation between Europe's two largest economies. It also followed the collapse earlier this year of the FCAS joint fighter project, which had been seen as a flagship symbol of Franco-German defence collaboration.

Sponsored

Merz said German troops would join the French exercise this year and described the move as complementary to Germany's participation in NATO nuclear deterrence. He made the remarks at a press conference after a joint meeting of the two governments. Macron said earlier this year that Germany was one of eight countries that had agreed to take part in a French-led nuclear deterrence project, while stressing that France would keep tight control over nuclear decision-making.

The talks took place at an air base near Cologne, where the leaders appeared together before the joint defence and security council. They were shown alongside a French Rafale jet and a Eurofighter, which is a key aircraft in Germany's air force. Merz also said Germany's "hand remains extended towards France" regardless of who French voters choose in the next presidential election.

The two governments also said they would continue developing the cloud solution linked to the FCAS project, despite the collapse of the wider fighter programme. The agreement matters because it points to a broader effort to strengthen European defence cooperation at a time of uncertainty over the United States' long-term commitment to European security. It also reflects growing concern in Europe about the Russian threat and the need to improve military readiness.

Sponsored

France is one of Western Europe's two nuclear powers, alongside the United Kingdom, and any move involving nuclear deterrence carries political and strategic weight well beyond the two countries involved. The timing is also significant for Macron, who faces a presidential election next spring and has been under pressure to show progress on defence cooperation before then. The row over FCAS had raised questions about the future of Franco-German military industrial ties, especially after the project's collapse earlier this year.

By keeping the cloud solution alive, both sides appear to be trying to preserve at least part of the wider programme even as the main fighter project remains stalled. What remains unclear is how the French nuclear exercise will be structured, what role German forces will play, and how far the cooperation could extend beyond this year. It is also not yet clear how the arrangement will fit with NATO's existing nuclear posture or whether it will lead to further formal commitments.

The next developments to watch are any detailed statements from the two governments and whether the nuclear cooperation becomes a more regular feature of Franco-German defence policy.

#Germany #France #nucleardeterrence #FriedrichMerz #EmmanuelMacron

Sponsored