France and the United Kingdom are precisely the fourth and fifth countries with the most nuclear weapons, yet far below the Arsenals of Russia, USA and China
France and the United Kingdom announced Thursday the reinforcement of their nuclear cooperation to respond to increasing threats to Europe. The decision was formalized on the last day of the three -day state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the United Kingdom.
“This morning, we signed the Northward statement, confirming, for the first time, that we are coordinating our independent nuclear dissuasion,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at a press conference, speaking in a “historical” agreement.
“From today, our opponents will know that any extreme threat to this continent will raise an answer from our two nations. There is no greater demonstration of the importance of this relationship,” he added, with his side Macron.
The narrowing of cooperation between the two countries occurs in a context of growing global instability and doubts about the future of the transatlantic alliance, especially after US President Donald Trump questioned US commitment to NATO and adopted an ambiguous stance against Russia. The United States is the main nuclear dissuasive force in Europe.
“The decision is that we do not exclude the coordination of our respective determination means. It is a message that our partners and opponents must hear,” Macron stressed.
“Reinforced cooperation has nothing to do with efforts to create a coalition of people willing to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia,” the French president clarified.
According to, France has a nuclear arsenal consisting of about 290 warheads and an annual budget of about 5.6 billion euros, the fourth largest in the world.
The United Kingdom, in turn, describes its nuclear program as “operationally independent,” although it depends on the United States for missile technology and logistics and maintenance support.
France and the United Kingdom are precisely the fourth and fifth countries with the most nuclear weapons, yet far below the Arsenals of Russia, USA and China.
