Tensions are skyrocketing following the launch of Operation Epic Fury.

14:46, Mon, Mar 2, 2026 Updated: 16:07, Mon, Mar 2, 2026

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French President Emmanuel Macron announces France will increase its number of nuclear warheads (Image: Getty)

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday France will increase its number of nuclear warheads for first time in decades. Speaking at a military base at L’Ile Longue, Macron said that France will increase its number of nuclear warheads from the current level of below 300 which is the first time France increases its nuclear arsenal since 1992.

Mr Macron, however, did not give an exact number. In his speech, the President of France warned that since the last speech in 2020, “our competitors have evolved, as have our partners,” and this requires a change in the French nuclear doctrine. He said that in recognition of the new challenges, France will need to increase the size of its nuclear arsenal.

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Macron is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces (Image: Getty Macron is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces)

“My responsibility is to ensure that our deterrence maintains — and will maintain in the future — its assured destructive power,” Macron said.

Macron's speech in northwestern France was aimed at spelling out how French nuclear weapons fit into Europe's security amid WW3 fears skyrocketing after Israel and the US launched an attack against Iran's leadership and military.

France is the European Union’s only nuclear power, and its deterrence doctrine relies on a strictly defensive strategy intended to safeguard the country’s “vital interests”.

As President of France Macron is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the sole authority to decide on the potential use of nuclear weapons in the country.

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Charles de Gaulle

France is the European Union's only nuclear power (Image: Getty)

Charles de Gaulle, the flagship of the French Navy, is the world's only operational nuclear-powered aircraft carrier outside of the United States Navy.

Commissioned in 2001 the 42,500-ton vessel is roughly 261.5 meters long and typically carries 30 to 40 aircraft.

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Just last week, a Russian drone reportedly approached the French aircraft carrier while it was docked in Sweden, according to SVT. Swedish defense forces identified the drone and carried out a jamming operation, after which it disappeared.

France also has four nuclear-armed submarines: Le Triomphant, Le Téméraire, Le Vigilant and Le Terrible (The Triumphant, The Fearless, The Vigilant, and The Terrible).