France Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

[sunnymaxi]

Breaking -

Macron orders the increase of nuclear warheads in France’s arsenal, declaring that France will no longer disclose the size of its nuclear stockpile..

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2028487208965984277

 

[sheogorath]

Seems like a terrible idea given how unhinged French nuclear weapons use policy is.

 

[sunnymaxi]

Seems like a terrible idea given how unhinged French nuclear weapons use policy is.

please explain.

 

[sheogorath]

please explain.

They reject "no-first-use" doctrine and have "nuclear warning shots" as part of their policy, meaning using ASMP nuclear tipped cruise missiles as a "warning shot " in order to stablish deterrence(regardless of the enemy having nuclear weapons or not) and if that doesn't work, they directly escalate to the usage of all SLBM's from the Triomphants.

 

[Maikeru]

They reject "no-first-use" doctrine and have "nuclear warning shots" as part of their policy, meaning using ASMP nuclear tipped cruise missiles as a "warning shot " in order to stablish deterrence(regardless of the enemy having nuclear weapons or not) and if that doesn't work, they directly escalate to the usage of all SLBM's from the Triomphants.

That sounds eminently sensible to me. Better than having nothing between conventional forces and SLBM. Vive la France!

 

[sheogorath]

That sounds eminently sensible to me. Better than having nothing between conventional forces and SLBM. Vive la France!

The issue is if the enemy has more nuclear weapons or more strategic depth/capacity to fend off some of it than they do, though, since they just basically signaled they are about go all out on them; the enemy might as well go all out on the french and they won't be violating any no-first-use doctrine they might have had because the french fired first.

Nuclear ambiguity works in instances like Israel or Pakistan/India, not in Europe when you claim your main enemy is a " fuel station with nukes". A few thousands of them...

 

[Gloire_bb]

Seems like a terrible idea given how unhinged French nuclear weapons use policy is.

In current shape it's entirely inconsequentual.
French nuclear weapons policy is a policy of a shielded nation, many borders away from any threat which never actually came to even consider testing it. As such, they can write effectively anything - it's just unimportant.
What French nuclear arm truly does is it elevates France to the standards expected from it from its position as permanent security council member, despite having medium sized military.

But on a more image side, Macron posing as copy-Kim is kinda pitiful. Kims have cool factor because he's doing it defying all odds, winning his country survival. France is more of a spoiled sheltered kid with great parents complex.

 

[EmoBirb]

But on a more image side, Macron posing as copy-Kim is kinda pitiful. Kims have cool factor because he's doing it defying all odds, winning his country survival. France is more of a spoiled sheltered kid with great parents complex.

I'd disagree. Given the American stranglehold on Europe, as showcased by the UK being the most pitiful of vassals and Germany being beaten down constantly, France is also overcoming unfavorable odds.

Which is why their nuclear forces (only nuclear carrier outside the US until Type 004 hits the water, several SSBNs and SSNs as well as nuclear ALCMs on top of their SLBMs) are more or less sacred to them, they value their strategic autonomy more than the majority of Europe these days, which I think is smart, good for their arms industry and deserving of respect. It's also reflected in their armed forces which are less the cookie cutter standard NATO force and more so heavily specialized on rapid deployment interventionism to enforce French interest in the middle east and africa. Their Army and Surface Fleet emphasize the expeditionary nature of their military doctrine.

The issue France has is that it's still within NATO, which it cannot dominate in the manner they can in the EU. That their ruling class consists of corrupt morons. And that they are utterly plagued by domestic issues which will compound over the coming decades to to demographic deterioration.

 

[subotai1]

The issue France has is that it's still within NATO, which it cannot dominate in the manner they can in the EU. That their ruling class consists of corrupt morons. And that they are utterly plagued by domestic issues which will compound over the coming decades to to demographic deterioration.

France has always been very realistic about NATO and (not) trusting the United States as part of it. This policy they are engaging on is really one of providing a nuclear deterrent to all of Europe. And it will work. Europe is looking for a poison pill if someone else comes for it, whether that is the US or Russia.

As for the demographic issue. France is not alone. And the biggest cause of those issues globally is economic and security uncertainty. And the last 18 months has definitely not improved that feeling.

 

[Gloire_bb]

France has always been very realistic about NATO and (not) trusting the United States as part of it. This policy they are engaging on is really one of providing a nuclear deterrent to all of Europe. And it will work. Europe is looking for a poison pill if someone else comes for it, whether that is the US or Russia.

It is already poisonous as not to be worth the risk. However, if offender(US or Russia) actually accepts the consequences - then it's not deterrent, it's nuclear war. Which is carried by survivable C&C, sensor networks and 2nd/3rd strike capability with contingency options. All things 2nd tier nuclear powers lack, and capability list China is only acquiring now.
Heck, much less than nuclear war, France (or UK) nuclear forces aren't even designed for launch on warning, nor they really bothered with what to do when you're actually counterforced with determination expected of someone commited.

France doesn't build capability for nuclear war, it adds strategic warheads.
I.e. it adds the only actual thing it needs from its nuclear umbrella: prestige, on the cheap. B/c Macron - or France in general - never actually faced a situation of imminent nuclear threat, nor they ever presented this equation to anyone seriously.