00:00In a landmark speech, French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered an increase in the country's
00:06nuclear warhead stockpile, vowing he would be resolute in his response if the country's
00:11vital interests were threatened.
00:12The speech comes as European security is being tested on multiple fronts, from Russia's
00:18war in Ukraine to the expanding Iran war, which targeted Cyprus and EU member state
00:23on Monday.
00:46France has an estimated 290 nuclear warheads, according to the latest figures released
00:52by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
00:56Macron did not indicate how much of an increase he wants to add to the country's arsenal,
01:01but noted that Paris will no longer disclose the size of its capabilities moving forward.
01:06The address does not come in response to the ongoing war in the Middle East, with French
01:11officials stressing that it was planned well in advance.
01:14The French leader also said he wants to implement a program in which French deterrence is spread
01:20out across Europe, and noted that eight countries have displayed interest in hosting these programs.
01:25Germany announced it would participate in French nuclear drills, and quote,
01:30the development of conventional capabilities with European partners.
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