Nuclear weapons profile: France

France first tested a nuclear weapon in 1960, eight years after the UK and four years before China. In doing so, it became the fourth nuclear weapon state after the US, Russia (formerly the Soviet Union) and the UK. It is one of the five recognised nuclear states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 1968.

This briefing is part of a series of nuclear profiles which are available on the House of Commons Library website.

France’s nuclear policy

France maintains a policy of “strict sufficiency” (PDF), whereby it maintains its nuclear arsenal at the lowest possible level compatible with the strategic context. France’s use of nuclear weapons is limited to extreme circumstances of self-defence where its national interests are threatened. France retains a first-use policy.

France does not participate in NATO’s nuclear planning mechanisms, and its forces are not formally assigned to NATO.

A shift in nuclear doctrine

In March 2026, President Macron announced that the size of France’s nuclear arsenal will increase (from approximately 290 warheads) in response to the changing strategic environment. Data on the size of the French stockpile will no longer be published.

He also announced that France would move toward a concept of “forward deterrence”, which would place the French nuclear deterrent at the heart of European security. Progressive implementation would see willing allies and partners engage with French nuclear deterrence exercises and contribute conventional assets to French nuclear activities. In the longer term, French nuclear forces could be, temporarily, deployed in other allied countries.

Nuclear assets will not, however, be shared, and decision-making on the use of nuclear weapons will remain the sovereign right of the French President.

France’s attitude towards disarmament

Under Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, France has an obligation to pursue disarmament.

Since the end of the Cold War, France has scaled back its nuclear arsenal by 50%. It has reduced its overall holdings and withdrawn several weapons systems, including its land-based ballistic missile capability. France is the only nuclear weapon state to have dismantled, in its entirety, a ground-launched nuclear capability.

In 1992, and again in 1996, France reduced its alert levels, in terms of both response times and the number of weapons systems on alert. The last French nuclear tests took place in 1996, just prior to the conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which it signed and ratified in 1998. All of France’s nuclear forces have been de-targeted, so they are not targeted at a specific country.

In March 2026, the French Government said that France “pursues a progressive and pragmatic approach to disarmament and strictly complies with its international commitments” (PDF). The decision to increase the size of the French nuclear arsenal and reduce transparency on stockpile numbers has, however, drawn some criticism from disarmament advocates.

Nuclear capabilities and modernisation

France’s nuclear weapons are capable of being launched by combat aircraft and submarines operating on a continuous at-sea basis.

Over the last two decades, France has been modernising its nuclear arsenal. It has deployed a new Triomphant class of ballistic missile submarines, replaced its combat aircraft in a nuclear role, upgraded its submarine-launched and air-launched nuclear-armed missile capabilities, and deployed new nuclear warheads. Next-generation capabilities are currently in development.

Since it first acquired nuclear weapons, France has maintained an entirely sovereign, independent, nuclear capability, including its nuclear-industrial complex. Ensuring nuclear independence has, however, led to higher costs. Historically, the nuclear deterrent has consumed 10% to 11% of the French defence budget every year. In the last few years, those costs have increased, and in 2023 the nuclear deterrent accounted for 12.7% of the annual French defence budget.

However, there is significant domestic support for sovereign nuclear capability in France, which historically has associated the possession of nuclear weapons with national independence.