Germany and France sign unprecedented defense pact on nuclear deterrence; Germany to join French nuclear exercise for first time

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Friday that their countries are intensifying strategic cooperation on nuclear deterrence, with the aim of strengthening Europe's defence posture.

The announcement comes shortly after the collapse of their joint €100 billion fighter jet project, as both nations seek to revive their strained relationship at a strategic level.

Key Elements of the Agreement

The agreement, signed on Friday in Brühl, Germany, states: "This unprecedented bilateral cooperation will contribute to strengthening deterrence in Europe."

According to the document, the partnership will focus on:

• The integration of conventional capabilities
• Deep Precision Strike capabilities
• Missile defence capabilities
• Integration with nuclear deterrence

These measures are intended to increase the ability "to manage escalation below the nuclear threshold and to develop the necessary conventional capabilities."

German Participation in French Nuclear Exercise

The two leaders confirmed that Germany will participate in a French nuclear exercise later this year.

"This will be the first time we take part in such an exercise in a conventional capacity," Merz said. The goal is "to identify where we can achieve common objectives, namely improved deterrence in Europe."

The participation will likely involve German officials boarding a French tanker aircraft to observe a Poker exercise — the quarterly drill conducted by the French Air and Space Force to train its airborne nuclear deterrent. The exercise involves Rafale fighters carrying simulated ASMPA nuclear cruise missiles.

President Macron noted that no financial contribution from Germany is foreseen.

Broader Strategic Context

In March, Macron invited European partners to participate in joint nuclear exercises and offered to expand France's nuclear deterrence over Europe.

Paris and Berlin have now formed a steering group to examine how France's offer could work in practice. This might eventually lead to a common doctrine, Merz said.

Industrial Cooperation Challenges

Overshadowed by the failed attempt to build a joint fighter jet and similar issues with their joint tank project, both sides were cautious about promoting new defence industry programmes. Instead, the focus was placed on a strategic level.

Both the joint fighter jet and tank programmes will continue to develop a common digital communication platform to ensure interoperability on the battlefield.

French concerns about Germany's strong push into the space domain are likely to be addressed in the near future, as both leaders agreed to hold a space summit in September. Berlin and Paris have also decided to coordinate on satellite frequencies and the EU's secure communications satellite constellation, IRIS2.