France and UK sign historic nuclear pact amid rising global tensions

Jul 10, 2025 at 10:41 AM CDT

Craig Nigrelli (Anchor/Reporter)

France and the United Kingdom have signed a nuclear pact pledging to coordinate their nuclear response strategies if faced with an attack. — Image credit: Leon Neal/Getty Images

This recording was made using enhanced software.

Summary

Nuclear agreement

France and the U.K. have reached an agreement to coordinate their nuclear programs in the event there is a threat against them.

Historic alliance

This is the first time the two nuclear countries signed such an agreement.

EU military push

President Donald Trump has called on European nations to take a more active role in defending themselves.

Full story

For the first time, France and the United Kingdom have signed a declaration pledging to coordinate their nuclear response strategies if faced with an attack. The agreement comes as Russia continues its war in Ukraine and follows pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for European nations to bolster their defense capabilities.

How many nuclear weapons do France and the UK have?

France and the U.K. are the only two nuclear powers in Western Europe. According to The Wall Street Journal, they possess a combined total of about 515 nuclear warheads. While that number is far lower than the stockpiles held by the U.S. and Russia, experts consider it a credible deterrent.

QR code for SAN app download

Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.

Point phone camera here

Both France and the U.K. are members of NATO, which holds that an attack on one member is an attack on all. However, until now, their nuclear arsenals were considered outside the bounds of NATO’s collective defense policy. This new agreement signals a shift aimed at reassuring other European allies by strengthening regional deterrence beyond traditional NATO frameworks.

Trump’s influence

Trump has long pushed European nations to invest more in their defense and reduce reliance on the United States. At a recent NATO summit, European leaders pledged to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, following Trump’s calls for greater self-sufficiency.

“This marks a major evolution in the relationship between France and the U.K. and for European defense,” said Jean-Louis Lozier, a former French navy officer.

Phillips O’Brien, a professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, added, “It’s decoupling from the U.S. without saying it.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced the initiative during a state visit to the U.K., has been a vocal advocate for European defense autonomy. While previous European military coordination efforts often fell short of real action, analysts say the growing influence of Trump has changed the stakes.

Ivo Daalder, former U.S. ambassador to NATO under the Obama administration, previously told Politico that Trump’s renewed push has provided Europe with “a road map for Europeanizing NATO that you never had before and that ultimately will lead to a more successful alliance.”

He added that everyone involved wants to move in that direction.

Craig Nigrelli (Anchor/Reporter)

Craig Nigrelli is an anchor and reporter for Straight Arrow News.

Jason Morrell (Morning Managing Editor), Emma Stoltzfus (Video Editor), and Devin Pavlou (Digital Producer) contributed to this report.

Tags: England, France, nuclear, nuclear deal, Nuclear Warheads, Nuclear weapons, tactical nuclear weapons, United Kingdom

[Craig Nigrelli]

FOR THE FIRST TIME, FRANCE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM HAVE SIGNED A DECLARATION TO COORDINATE THE USE OF THEIR NUCLEAR WEAPONS IF THEY FACE AN ATTACK.

THE MOVE COMES AS RUSSIA CONTINUES ITS ASSAULT ON UKRAINE – AND FOLLOWS PRESSURE FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR EUROPEAN NATIONS TO SHOULDER MORE OF THEIR OWN DEFENSE.

FRANCE AND THE U.K. ARE WESTERN EUROPE’S TWO NUCLEAR POWERS – POSSESSING AROUND 515 WARHEADS COMBINED, ACCORDING TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

EXPERTS SAY THAT’S ENOUGH TO BE A CREDIBLE DETERRENT.. THOUGH FAR FEWER THAN THE STOCKPILES HELD BY THE U.S. AND RUSSIA.

THE AGREEMENT ALSO APPEARS TO BE A SIGNAL OF SUPPORT TO NATO ALLIES ACROSS EUROPE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP, BOTH ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND ONCE IN-OFFICE, HAS PUSHED EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO INCREASE DEFENSE SPENDING AND RELY LESS ON AMERICAN SUPPORT.

AT A RECENT NATO SUMMIT, MANY MEMBERS AGREED TO BOOST MILITARY SPENDING TO 5% OF GDP – AT TRUMP’S URGING.

ONE EXPERT CALLED THE FRANCE-U.K. NUCLEAR PROTECTION COLLABORATION A QUOTE**DECOUPLING** FROM THE UNITED STATES.

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUAL MACRON, WHO ANNOUNCED THE MOVE AT A STATE VISIT TO THE U.K., HAS BEEN LEADING THE PUSH FOR EUROPEAN DEFENSE AUTONOMY.

AND A FORMER U-S AMBASSADOR TO NATO UNDER THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TOLD POLITICO THAT TRUMP’S PRESSURE HAS CREATED A ROADMAP FOR EUROPEANIZING NATO… ADDING THAT IT MAY ULTIMATELY STRENGTHEN THE ALLIANCE.

FOR MORE UNBIASED UPDATES, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP.

Why this story matters

France and the United Kingdom's agreement to coordinate their nuclear defense strategies marks a notable shift in European security cooperation amid evolving transatlantic relationships and ongoing regional conflicts.

European defense autonomy

The declaration illustrates growing efforts by European nations to develop independent defense capabilities and reduce reliance on the United States, as emphasized by remarks from French President Emmanuel Macron and analysts cited in the article.

Nuclear cooperation

By pledging to coordinate their nuclear responses, France and the U.K. are strengthening deterrence and signaling enhanced regional security measures outside traditional NATO frameworks.

Changing NATO dynamics

The agreement reflects shifting roles within NATO, with member states adapting to new pressures such as U.S. policy changes and increasing defense spending commitments, as seen in recent summit discussions and commentary from international figures.

Get the big picture

Synthesized coverage insights across 81 media outlets

Context corner

The U.K. and France are Europe's only nuclear-armed states. Their new pact is informed by calls for greater European autonomy as confidence in the U.S. security guarantee has wavered, particularly under recent changes in U.S. leadership and ongoing tensions with Russia. The collaboration is built on a longstanding history of defense cooperation, strengthened after Brexit and the war in Ukraine.

Global impact

By enhancing nuclear coordination, the U.K. and France send a message to adversaries, particularly Russia, about European readiness to respond collectively to threats. The move may influence NATO dynamics, impact perceptions of European security autonomy, and shape the strategic environment for allies and adversaries watching developments in European defense posture.

Oppo research

Skeptics and some allies, particularly in Germany and Eastern Europe, caution that such bilateral deals may exclude other European nations and could undermine broader efforts for European defense integration under EU or NATO frameworks. Opposition also exists among those who fear increased militarization or a shift away from civilian crisis resolution.

Lifestyle

8 hrs ago

4 min read

Apple’s $230 iPhone Pocket taps into a bigger story on fashion, functionality
Military

9 hrs ago

5 min read

What would a ‘war’ between Venezuela and the US look like?
Politics

9 hrs ago

4 min read

Government shutdown to end, House approves funding through Jan. 30
U.S.

12 hrs ago

4 min read

Polls show Americans blame GOP for shutdown. That may not matter at the ballot box

Sources

Bias comparison

Media outlets on the left frame the U.K.-France nuclear deal as a cooperative step reinforcing European security, highlighting job preservation and using phrasing like “join forces” and “shared might” that suggests constructive alliance-building without deep critique of nuclear deterrence.
Media outlets in the center add technical depth on arsenal details and political nuances, absent in partisan narratives.
Media outlets on the right emphasize military strength and urgency through alarmist or valorizing rhetoric such as “major deal,” “key weapon,” and framing it as a “warning” to Putin amid “new nuclear risks,” underscoring readiness and leadership.

Report an issue with this comparison

Media landscape

Click on bars to see headlines

81 total sources

Key points from the Left

The U.K. and France will coordinate their nuclear weapons against extreme threats to Europe, as declared by Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron.
A new declaration confirms that both countries' nuclear deterrents remain independent but can be jointly activated against adversaries.
The U.K. and France plan to ramp up orders for Storm Shadow missiles and develop their replacements together.
Officials highlighted the aim to enhance European security amid growing threats, promising a united front against any aggressor.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Center

On Thursday, the leaders of France and the United Kingdom, Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, respectively, formalized an agreement to enhance coordination between their nuclear forces for the first time.
This coordination follows growing defense alignment amid heightened European security concerns and efforts to reduce dependence on the U.S. amid the war in Ukraine.
The agreement retains the nuclear independence of both nations but sets up a joint supervisory group to enhance cooperation on policy, capabilities, and operations without U.S. or NATO involvement.
France holds about 290 warheads and the U.K. about 225, with both maintaining sea-based deterrents via ballistic missile submarines, while the U.K. replaces Vanguard-class subs with Dreadnought-class vessels.
The pact signals a stronger Franco-British deterrent posture intended to respond jointly to extreme threats in Europe and marks a deeper nuclear partnership amid shifting geopolitical realities.

Report an issue with this summary

See Hide headlines from Center sources 8 sources

Key points from the Right

The U.K. and France have agreed to coordinate their nuclear weapons for the first time, enhancing their defense collaboration, according to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The U.K. holds 225 nuclear warheads, while France has 290, in comparison to Russia's nearly 6,000, as reported by Chatham House.
Both countries plan to order more Storm Shadow missiles, which aid Ukraine by allowing strikes deep inside Russian territory, as part of a renewed defense pact.
Defence Secretary John Healey stated that this partnership aims to strengthen their military capabilities and improve response to threats.

Report an issue with this summary

Other (sources without bias rating):

See Hide headlines from Other sources 48 sources

Powered by Ground News™

Sources