COLOGNE — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on July 17, 2026, that German conventional forces will participate in a French nuclear exercise before the end of the year—the first such collaboration between the two countries. The announcement marks a significant shift in Germany’s approach to nuclear deterrence and deepens bilateral defense ties with France amid broader European security concerns.

Merz made the declaration during a joint media conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at Augustusburg castle near Cologne, Germany. “We will have German conventional forces participate in a nuclear exercise conducted by the French armed forces before the end of this year,” Merz said. He emphasized that the move complements Germany’s existing obligations under NATO’s nuclear sharing and deterrence framework, adding, “This complements our commitment to NATO’s nuclear sharing and deterrence arrangements, which we continue to uphold.”

The participation of German forces in a French nuclear exercise represents a departure from past policy. Merz acknowledged that previous German leaders had refused offers of nuclear cooperation with France. He framed the change as a necessary response to evolving geopolitical realities, stating, “The world we live in today requires new answers.” While noting the potential for a broader strategic shift, Merz cautioned against premature conclusions, saying, “We are proceeding step by step, it may be that this will result in a new doctrine, but it is far too early to say that today.”

Macron welcomed Germany’s involvement, describing the country as playing a “vanguard role” in European deterrence efforts. He argued that advanced deterrence strengthens collective security by sowing uncertainty among potential adversaries. “Advanced deterrence is very important for European collective security, because it creates strategic doubt among our adversaries,” Macron said. He added, “Diluting the presence of the nuclear deterrent is what confuses enemies.”

The French president outlined a vision for deeper operational integration that stops short of financial burden-sharing. “Cooperation would translate into explaining some aspects of how we operate, sharing certain closely held practices, offering joint exercises, developing joint initiatives and partnerships and fostering greater … trust among our teams, experts and military personnel,” Macron said. He clarified that the enhanced cooperation would not involve financing from Germany.

The announcement follows growing European interest in strengthening nuclear deterrence in light of shifting U.S. commitments. Washington has revealed plans to cut some military assets assigned to NATO operations in Europe, and U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the transatlantic security alliance. Against this backdrop, France has emerged as the European Union’s sole nuclear power since the United Kingdom’s departure from the bloc in 2020.

Earlier in 2026, Macron had laid the groundwork for broader collaboration. In March, he announced an increase in the French nuclear arsenal and invited European partners to strengthen cooperation on nuclear deterrence. Since then, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway have expressed interest in the French initiative.

Germany’s new stance aligns with its broader military modernization efforts. The country is implementing a rearmament plan to build Europe’s strongest conventional military by 2039. This strategic pivot also comes shortly after a major setback in Franco-German defense cooperation: a planned $100 billion joint fighter jet program collapsed in June 2026.

That program had aimed to replace Rafale and Eurofighter jets used by Germany and Spain by 2040. The nuclear exercise may serve as a new avenue to reinvigorate bilateral defense ties.

The practical groundwork for closer military coordination is already underway. On July 16, 2026—the day before the joint press conference—French Rafale and German Eurofighter jets participated in a joint in-flight refueling exercise. Rafale jets are specifically designed to deliver nuclear weapons, underscoring the operational relevance of such drills to nuclear deterrence scenarios.

Germany’s participation occurs within the context of its longstanding role in NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement. U.S. nuclear bombs are stored in Germany as part of the alliance’s nuclear deterrent, and German warplanes are certified to potentially carry U.S. nuclear weapons in an emergency. Merz stressed that the new cooperation with France does not replace or undermine this NATO commitment but rather complements it.

This development signals a potential evolution in European defense architecture, as European nations seek greater strategic autonomy amid uncertainty about long-term U.S. military presence on the continent. By integrating German conventional forces into French nuclear exercises, Berlin and Paris are testing a model of deterrence that operates alongside—but distinctly from—NATO’s U.S.-led nuclear framework. The move responds to Macron’s March 2026 call for enhanced European nuclear cooperation and reflects growing consensus among nine European states that collective deterrence must adapt to contemporary threats.

The exercise also represents a concrete step toward rebuilding trust between Germany and France following the collapse of their flagship fighter jet program. With Germany pursuing the goal of fielding Europe’s strongest conventional military by 2039 and France expanding its nuclear arsenal, the two powers are redefining their partnership in ways that could reshape continental security dynamics for decades.