Title: Macron suggests fanning French nukes across Europe for protection against Russia
A European Nuclear Shield
EUROPE could be gearing up to forge a bubble of nuclear protection from Russia made up of 300 French ballistic missiles. French president Macron has suggested the submarine-launched warheads are fanned across the continent to shore up collective defence.
Macron’s Proposal for Nuclear Protection
His offer followed a German minister urging the UK and France to forge a “nuclear shield” to deter Russia. Leaders in Europe are worried about the ramifications of a possible Donald Trump win in the November presidential election. And nuclear threats are coming out of Russia thick and fast as Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine drags on. Macron said he wanted to open up conversations about “missile defence, long-range weapons and nuclear weapons” across Europe.
The Plan for French Ballistic Missiles
The French navy developed an impressive £4.2 billion submarine-launched ballistic missile, the M51 SLBM, likely the weapon Macron is referring to. Each missile can carry six to ten thermonuclear warheads. Like the formidable Trident, it uses a drag-reducing spike to shoot through the air.
Addressing Collective Security
Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg has warned that such a nuclear umbrella could divide Europe from North America. In February he said, “Nato has a nuclear deterrent, and this has worked for decades.”
FRESH NUKE THREAT
Just this weekend, one of Putin’s state TV propaganda puppets issued a fresh nuclear threat against the West. Dmitry Kiselyov warned: “If NATO countries deploy their forces to Ukraine in order to deal strategic defeat to Russia, then that very moment will come of which Putin has spoken. In that case, we’ll send everything flying everywhere! Sarmat, Yars and Avangard missiles.
A European Defence Framework
Macron is suggesting France’s nuclear arsenal of submarine-launched ballistic missiles and air-launched cruise missiles are shared around the continent. He urged: “French doctrine is that we can use [nuclear arms] when our vital interests are at stake … There is a European dimension in these vital interests.