French President Macron announced on Tuesday (March 18) that France will invest nearly 1.5 billion euros (approximately 1.6 billion dollars) in renovating an air force base to enable the deployment of nuclear weapons, increasing France’s nuclear warhead capacity. This will be the fourth French air force base capable of deploying nuclear weapons as France actively showcases its nuclear arsenal upgrade plan, aiming to encourage European allies to seek French alternatives to the US nuclear umbrella and strengthen military cooperation in Europe.
During his visit to Luxeuil, President Macron revealed this news at a base locally known as “Ariane 116,” which is located less than 200 kilometers from the German border. Previously, German Chancellor designate Friedrich Merz expressed concerns about the US withdrawal from the European continent and expressed a desire to hold talks with France on nuclear deterrence capabilities.
France’s nuclear weapons are domestically developed and operate independently of NATO’s nuclear forces, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles and air-launched nuclear missiles. According to the website of the Union of Concerned Scientists, France possesses the world’s fourth-largest nuclear warhead stockpile, with around 290 warheads as of July 2023.
As a base with nuclear attack capabilities, Luxeuil plans to deploy new ASN4G (4th generation air-to-ground nuclear missile) hypersonic missiles equipped with nuclear warheads by 2035. These missiles will be operated by two advanced Rafale F5 fighter squadrons, totaling 40 fighter jets.
Senator Cédric Perrin from the region where the air force base is located pointed out that the Ukraine conflict “has changed the situation.” The first Rafale squadron will be deployed in Luxeuil by 2032 and operational the following year. The second squadron is expected to be operational by 2036.
These two Rafale F5 fighter squadrons do not seem to be part of the 42 Rafale fighter jets ordered earlier this year. Rafale F5 is the latest improved version of the Rafale fighter jet and is currently in the development stage, with the date of entry into service still uncertain. Besides carrying ASN4G missiles, Rafale F5 will also be able to operate in coordination with the “Loyal Wingman” drones. Regardless of the total number of Rafale jets, the addition of an air force base with nuclear strike capabilities to the French Air Force and Space Command is significant.
Currently, France has three air force bases equipped with nuclear weapons storage facilities: Saint-Dizier, Istres, and Avord. These bases house approximately 50 twin-seat Rafale B-type fighter jets armed with ASMP-A supersonic cruise missiles and are supported by Airbus A330 MRTT aerial refueling tankers.
The ASMP-A air-launched nuclear missile entered into service in 1986, weighing 860 kilograms and powered by a liquid-fueled ramjet engine. It has a maximum speed of 3 Mach (3 times the speed of sound) and a range of approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles), carrying a thermonuclear warhead with an explosive yield of around 300,000 tons.
The ASN4G missile is part of France’s modernization project for nuclear deterrence capabilities, codenamed “Prometheus,” with development starting in 2016. The missile is still in the early stages of development and planned for operational use by 2035. ASN4G will carry a new generation nuclear warhead and a new type of supersonic ramjet engine, with stealth capabilities and an expected flight speed of 6 to 7 Mach, good maneuverability to evade radar detection and interception by air defense systems. It is expected to have a range of over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), double that of the current ASMP-A.