🇫🇷 France's Nuclear Strategy

🇫🇷 France's Nuclear Strategy
Photo by Stephanie Klepacki / Unsplash

Here is a timeline of major announcements regarding France's National Nuclear Strategy over the past 50 years, with the most recent events first:

1. 2024: Relaunch of Nuclear Industry and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

In January 2024, the French government, under President Emmanuel Macron, is expected to make key announcements regarding the construction of new small modular reactors (SMRs). This comes as part of France’s broader energy sovereignty efforts, including financing nuclear fuel recycling infrastructure. The construction of new reactors and the extension of older ones will be discussed to meet France’s carbon neutrality goals by 2050.

2. 2022: Macron's Nuclear Renaissance

In February 2022, President Macron announced a significant plan to relaunch France’s nuclear sector, with the goal of constructing six new European Pressurized Reactors (EPR2) by 2035, and the possibility of building up to 14 reactors in total. This move was aimed at reducing dependency on foreign energy and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The decision was also part of a broader strategy to revitalize France’s nuclear industry after decades of stagnation.

3. 2015: Reduction of Nuclear Arsenal

By 2015, France had reduced its nuclear arsenal by half over a decade. The French government maintained a stance of reducing operational alert levels for nuclear systems whenever the global strategic environment allowed, demonstrating France’s commitment to global non-proliferation efforts.

4. 1996: End of Nuclear Testing

In January 1996, France ended its nuclear testing program after its final underground nuclear test at the Mururoa Atoll. This marked a significant shift in France's nuclear policy as it signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) later that year, formalizing its commitment to no further nuclear tests.

5. 1960-1995: Development of France's Nuclear Deterrent

France’s nuclear strategy evolved significantly from its first test in 1960. Throughout the Cold War, France pursued an independent nuclear deterrent under its "Force de Frappe" policy. The doctrine focused on maintaining a credible deterrent independent of NATO, emphasizing the need for France to secure its own defense against major powers.

This timeline illustrates France’s evolving nuclear strategy, from establishing its nuclear deterrent during the Cold War to modernizing its nuclear infrastructure in line with current energy and security goals. Each phase reflects France's commitment to both maintaining nuclear deterrence and contributing to global disarmament efforts.