French nuclear forces, 2005

[NVMojo]

July/August 2005 pp. 73-75 (vol. 61, no. 04) © 2005 Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

France currently has two nuclear weapons systems: submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) carried by nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and medium-range air-to-surface missiles carried by Mirage 2000N and Super Étendard aircraft. <1> Fifteen years ago, it had four additional systems that have now been removed from service. France retired, and presumably disassembled, the 175 warheads associated with these systems.

Though France is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and is bound by Article VI's goal of nuclear disarmament, it shows no signs of giving up its remaining arsenal. Instead, it is making plans to develop, procure, and deploy new nuclear weapons, and to maintain its existing arsenal without nuclear testing, for years to come.

French President Jacques Chirac set out his country's nuclear plans in February 1996 when he announced broad military reforms for 1997-2002. The plans called for consolidating French nuclear forces on fewer platforms and developing a new generation of nuclear weapons. During a visit to Moscow on September 26, 1997, Chirac confirmed that none of France's nuclear weapons remained aimed at designated targets.

Chirac and the government presented a new five-year military plan on September 11, 2002. Adopted on January 27, 2003, the plan, for the most part, continues to fund programs first presented in 1996. France's 2005 budget authorizes 3.18 billion euros (about $4 billion) for nuclear weapons, with 1.85 billion euros (about $2.37 billion) of the total going toward the submarine program. Nuclear weapons spending makes up less than 10 percent of the total defense budget.

more...

http://www.thebulletin.org/article_nn.php?art_ofn=ja05norris

[davepc]

1. Frances strategic independence is based in part on their nuke program

Their independent development of nuclear weapons is one of the reasons they pulled out of NATO's command structure in 1966 and expelled all non-french forces from its borders.

France does not have to be an American lap dog following along behind the shield of american military muscle and dependence like other NATO countries because of their well developed military that possess international reach.

This gives France geopolitical latitude to follow their own best interests and not be drug along by America into conflicts or situations it had no desire to be in, and derives no benefit from.

This is, by the way, why the right hates them.

[NNadir]

4. The assembly of nuclear weapons is always a crime.

Everyone has a "justification" for it, including the United States.

But there is no such "justification."

There is always the danger of these weapons falling into the hands of a fanatic who will threaten to use them or actually do so.

For instance, a prominent North American country, once governed by otherwise mostly sane people, set out at enormous cost to assemble the world's largest nuclear weapons arsenal. Shortly after that process was completed, the same country was ursurped by a small minded theocratic sociopath with a dangerous penchant for violence.

Nuclear weapons should all be dismantled and their cores fissioned in power plants to prevent similar disturbing outcomes in the future.

France has no more excuse than North Korea.

[tocqueville]

6. Worry about Pakistan and the Saudis instead

Pakistan is the walmart of nukes. And the Saudis are queuing to buy some

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GG07Df05.html

[newyawker99]

7. Hi tocqueville!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Mass]

2. How similar to this country - Dont expect France to do any of this

if they do not think this is against their interest, and with the US developping their nuclear arsenal, they want to stay independant.

Though France is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and is bound by Article VI's goal of nuclear disarmament, it shows no signs of giving up its remaining arsenal. Instead, it is making plans to develop, procure, and deploy new nuclear weapons, and to maintain its existing arsenal without nuclear testing, for years to come.

Or am I wrong and are the US not signatory of the treaty

[davepc]

3. The US is one of the original 5 signers of the treaty in 1968

And still are a party to it today.

As is France.

[tocqueville]

5. there is more to it...

some add-ons

some of those weapons can be launched through cruise-missiles type SCALP/STORM SHADOW made by EADS. BTW the real test of the French-British SCALP was made during the latest Iraqui war according to Le Monde (the article disappeared after one day) to oust Saddam out of his bunkers because they have a better precision and penetration than the Tomahawk. They were launched from British ships.

The main vector today is the Rafale which is a top fighter (with the eurofighter), comparable in performance with the US F22 Raptor, but far less cheaper. The main difference is in top speed.

They can be launched too from stealth frigates of the Lafayette class.

Latest developments are the construction of a stealth drone, but there with conventional warheads. The attack drone is thought to be used together as a swarm round the Rafale to facilitate the taking out of air defenses.

One little known story is that the US drone that took out in Yemen the Al Quaeda bunch responsible for the attack on the USS Cole, was launched from the French base in Djibouti, who provided the logistics for the US forces...

But you won't get that information on Fox News....