France Commits €1.5 Billion to Nuclear Air Base Modernization

President Macron announces Luxeuil air base upgrade to host nuclear-capable Rafale jets and hypersonic missiles by 2035, signaling a push for European defense independence.

• France will invest €1.5 billion to modernize the Luxeuil air base, which will house nuclear-capable Rafale jets and ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missiles by 2035.
• The base's staff will double to 2,000 as part of the upgrade, marking a significant expansion of its operational capacity.
• President Macron confirmed plans to increase France's defense spending from 2% to 3.5% of GDP and expand the Rafale fleet beyond 180 aircraft.
• Germany's incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed interest in discussing nuclear deterrence cooperation with France as part of a broader push for European defense independence.
• European leaders are increasingly concerned about U.S. reliability in NATO, particularly following Donald Trump's exclusion of Europe and Ukraine from negotiations with Russia.

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