UK, France agree to enable co-ordinated nuclear deterrent

By AFP and Global Watch | 2025-07-14

The United Kingdom and France have declared that the two nations' nuclear deterrents can be coordinated and that they will jointly respond to any "extreme threat to Europe."

The declaration, signed on July 10, states that the respective deterrents of both countries remain under national control "but can be co-ordinated, and that there is no extreme threat to Europe that would not prompt a response by both nations," the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the French presidency said in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron signed the agreement while wrapping up his three-day state visit to the United Kingdom with a summit, where the allies pledged to "reboot" defense ties with a focus on joint missile development and nuclear co-operation.

Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer co-hosted the London summit, where the two sides discussed maintaining support for Ukraine and curbing undocumented cross-Channel immigration.

Ahead of the gathering, which follows two days of varied events spanning pomp and politics, trade and culture, France and Britain announced their "defense relationship" will be "refreshed."

'Defense an engine for growth'

It will see London and Paris order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles -- long-range, air-launched weapons jointly developed by the two countries and called SCALP by the French -- while stepping up work on a replacement system.

The missiles have been shipped to Ukraine in significant numbers in recent years to help Kyiv in its war with Russia.

Britain already has plans to reintroduce fighter jets capable of carrying atomic weapons to support NATO's nuclear mission, Starmer's office said recently.

The country will purchase 12 nuclear weapon-capable F-35A fighters, expanding its deterrence arsenal, which is currently limited to submarine-launched missiles.

"These F35 dual capable aircraft will herald a new era for our world-leading Royal Air Force and deter hostile threats that threaten the UK and our Allies," Starmer said in a statement on June 24.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in the statement that he "strongly" welcomed the announcement," calling it "yet another robust British contribution to NATO."

Downing Street described it as the "biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear posture in a generation."

The new partnerships between France and Britain herald a new "Entente Industrielle" making "defense an engine for growth," said the MoD.

"As close partners and NATO allies, the UK and France have a deep history of defence collaboration and today's agreements take our partnership to the next level," Starmer said in the statement.

Starmer and Macron on July 10 dialed into a meeting of the "coalition of the willing" on Ukraine, a group of countries backing the embattled nation.