German troops will take part in a French nuclear exercise this year, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on Friday alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, as the two countries move to strengthen European defence after the collapse of a flagship fighter jet project. Speaking at a joint press conference following a cabinet meeting near Cologne, Merz said the participation is complementary to Germany’s role in NATO deterrence. Macron has stressed that France retains tight control over its nuclear arsenal, but the move signals a symbolic deepening of trust. The decision comes as Europe scrambles to bolster defences against Russia and faces uncertainty over US commitment under President Donald Trump. The future of other joint projects, such as the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) tank programme, remains uncertain, with a joint statement saying only that the allies will ‘investigate an approach’ to bring it to proof-of-concept.
Article source: thelocal.de | Image credit: CBS 42
