France and UK hold first joint nuclear air drills as European defense cooperation deepens

"For the first time, Typhoon fighter jets from the UK's Royal Air Force joined Rafale fighter jets from the French Air and Space Force in an exercise organized by the Strategic Air Forces, France's airborne nuclear component. This marks a decisive step in French-British defense cooperation, demonstrating the coordination and commitment of Europe's two nuclear powers to European security and credible deterrence," she said.

Citing a Defense Ministry statement, Reuters reported that French aircraft took off from Saint-Dizier Air Base in northeastern France and escorted British fighter jets during a simulated nuclear strike as part of an exercise called Rummy.

"In an increasingly dangerous world, our adversaries should be in no doubt: the United Kingdom and France stand united in our commitment to European security and to maintaining the deterrence that has helped preserve peace for generations," British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting stressed.

On March 2, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country would increase the number of nuclear warheads from its current stockpile of fewer than 300.

At the time, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also announced that Paris and Berlin had established a nuclear steering group to coordinate their nuclear deterrence efforts.

In September, reports emerged that the United Kingdom was prepared to provide nuclear protection outside NATO frameworks to members of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands.