President Emmanuel Macron is set to explain how France’s nuclear deterrent protects France and, in his view, helps protect Europe. On Monday, he gives a keynote speech as worries grow about U.S. disengagement and Russian threats. France is the only EU country with nuclear weapons. Macron says France’s “vital interests” have a European dimension. France stays in NATO, but it keeps full control of its nuclear forces. France relies on missiles launched from submarines and aircraft. It has four ballistic missile submarines and keeps at least one on patrol. France has an estimated 290 warheads.
