French President Emmanuel Macron announced on March 2 that France will expand its nuclear arsenal and consider deploying nuclear-capable aircraft to allied European countries under a new "forward deterrence" doctrine, while retaining sole authority over their use, Reuters reported. On the same day, he and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz agreed to establish a bilateral nuclear steering group, with Berlin set to join exercises and strategic site visits this year, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed parallel talks on enhanced deterrence cooperation.

The announcement comes amid growing debate in Europe over long-term reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella, which has underpinned transatlantic deterrence since the 1950s. Recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump questioning NATO commitments — along with tensions over Ukraine and, especially, Greenland — have unsettled several European capitals. Although Washington has not indicated it will remove nuclear weapons from Europe, uncertainty over future U.S. priorities has prompted governments to explore complementary arrangements. Macron explicitly cited shifting U.S. strategic focus as a factor driving Europe to assume greater responsibility for its own security. He also said the shift was coordinated with Washington and complementary to NATO's nuclear framework, and named Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and Denmark as potential participants in French nuclear exercises.