Reactivating Air Base For Nuclear Deterrence

President Emmanuel Macron of France announced plans to increase and accelerate orders for Dassault Rafale fighter jets, along with reinstating Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur Air Base as a prominent component of the country’s nuclear deterrence strategy.

The complement of personnel at Luxeuil will nearly double by 2035 to about 2,000 military and civilian staff. France also plans to invest about €1.5 billion to build new infrastructure to accommodate two additional Rafale squadrons in a broad military modernization initiative.

President Macron said, “The [French] Air Force will benefit from more Rafale orders. This is imperative in the current context. It is also a natural choice to integrate the air force’s efforts with regard to Ukraine and the transfer of our Mirage [2000-5].

“We will increase and accelerate Rafale orders. In this context, not only will the Luxeuil Air Base remain, but it will grow in an unprecedented way and regain its full place in France’s nuclear deterrent.”

An updated version of the Rafale, the F5, is expected to enter into service by 2030 and will be equipped with a “loyal wingman” combat drone derived from the Dassault nEUROn demonstrator. It will also be armed with the ASN4G hypersonic nuclear-capable ramjet missile that will become the air-launched component of France’s nuclear force by 2035.

Macron added, “Our country and our continent must continue to defend themselves, equip themselves, and prepare themselves if we want to avoid war. This is the choice we have made and will continue to make. Deterrence is, in this regard, a historic and essential component of the nation’s defense.”

FMI:  www.elysee.fr/