French lawmakers call for Europe to assume NATO leadership and nuclear deterrence
A French parliamentary report urges the EU to take control of NATO and become the continent's nuclear deterrent, citing industrial and capability gaps.
In a report delivered to the French National Assembly’s defence and foreign affairs committees, deputies Michèle Tabarot and David Habib proposed that the European Union should effectively "own" NATO, turning the alliance into a European-led military instrument. The document calls for Europe to assume the role of nuclear deterrent on the continent, a function currently held by the United States. To justify the proposal, the authors point to persistent industrial, technological and operational deficiencies, including an acute shortage of satellites for intelligence and communications.
They note that European armed forces, including France’s, possess only limited major capabilities and lack robust high-intensity warfighting forces. The report also references the disproportionate share of NATO spending by the United States, which accounts for about 60% of the alliance’s total budget, and stresses the need for joint procurement and stronger industrial cooperation to achieve a viable European defence posture.
Why it matters
The proposal could reshape NATO’s command structure and Europe’s defence independence.
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