France is working with 10 other European countries to establish a new nuclear deterrence framework aimed at Russia, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The initiative, which President Emmanuel Macron called “forward deterrence,” was unveiled in March 2026. It calls for deploying nuclear-capable French Rafale fighter jets to other European countries. Participants also intend to create a joint system for early warning and intelligence sharing.

The United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Greece, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have joined France in the initiative. The three Baltic states, which are most vulnerable to Russian aggression, are not part of the project, while Italy declined to participate. Finland said it would like to take part but does not plan to host nuclear weapons on its territory in peacetime.

French officials believe the new deterrent could be more credible because the security of France’s European neighbors matters far more to Paris than to Washington.

European officials also emphasize that the new system should supplement, rather than replace, the American “nuclear umbrella” over the continent and create further strategic uncertainty for Russia.

Experts say the French ASMP-A cruise missiles carried by Rafale fighters are more effective in modern warfare than American B-61 nuclear bombs. The American bombs were developed in the 1960s, and advances in Russian air defenses limit their use.

Macron also said France plans to resume producing nuclear weapons for the first time in decades. The country currently has about 290 nuclear warheads but will no longer disclose information about its arsenal.

In practice, however, France will retain full control over its nuclear forces. “The French will let us participate in their nuclear deterrence as much as the Americans,” said a minister from one of the countries involved in the project.

France is holding bilateral talks with its partners and has set up 10 separate groups for those discussions. Defense officials across Europe have had to hold frequent calls to keep one another informed about the negotiations, military officials said.