France to boost Rafale orders and reactivate historical nuclear deterrence base

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to increase and accelerate orders for Dassault Rafale fighter jets and to reinstate Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur Air Base as a key component of France’s nuclear deterrence strategy. 

Return of nuclear deterrence to Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur 

Speaking from Luxeuil in eastern France on March 18, 2025, President Emmanuel Macron announced new infrastructure projects to accommodate two additional Rafale squadrons as part of a broader military modernization initiative. 

By 2035, Luxeuil’s personnel will nearly double, reaching approximately 2,000 military and civilian staff. A significant modernization project, supported by a €1.5 billion investment, will reinstate Luxeuil as part of the French nuclear deterrent and make it the first base to host the next-generation Rafale F5 aircraft. 

“The [French] Air Force will benefit from more Rafale orders. This is imperative in the current context. It is also a natural choice to integrate the air force’s efforts with regard to Ukraine and the transfer of our Mirage [2000-5],” Macron stated. “We will increase and accelerate Rafale orders. In this context, not only will the Luxeuil Air Base remain, but it will grow in an unprecedented way and regain its full place in France’s nuclear deterrent.” 

The Rafale F5, expected to enter service by 2030, is designed to enhance the operational effectiveness of the French Air and Space Force, including nuclear deterrence roles. The F5 standard will be equipped with a “loyal wingman” combat drone derived from Dassault’s nEUROn demonstrator, as well as the ASN4G, a hypersonic nuclear-capable ramjet missile set to become the air-launched component of France’s nuclear deterrent by 2035. 

“Our country and our continent must continue to defend themselves, equip themselves, and prepare themselves if we want to avoid war,” Macron stated. “This is the choice we have made and will continue to make. Deterrence is, in this regard, a historic and essential component of the nation’s defense.” 

(Credit: Vincent FOLISI / Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace)Reinforcing France’s nuclear umbrella 

Luxeuil Air Base has played a significant role in France’s military infrastructure, hosting nuclear weapons from the 1960s until 2011. It was home to the Mirage IV strategic bombers and later the Mirage 2000N fighters. 

Today, France’s airborne nuclear deterrence is composed of around 50 nuclear-capable Rafale B twin-seat fighter jets from the Strategic Air Forces (FAS), based at Saint-Dizier-Robinson Air Base, along with Rafale M aircraft from the Naval Nuclear Aviation Force (FANU) operating from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. 

By reinstating Luxeuil as a nuclear-capable base and upgrading its fleet with Rafale jets, France is reinforcing its deterrence capabilities amid an increasingly volatile global security landscape. 

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This initiative comes at a time of heightened European discussions about nuclear deterrence and strategic autonomy. Mounting nuclear threats from Russia and emerging tensions with the new Trump administration have prompted European nations to reassess their defense postures. France, with its sovereign nuclear deterrent, is increasingly viewed as an alternative to the US in ensuring Europe’s security and autonomy. The post France to boost Rafale orders and reactivate historical nuclear deterrence base appeared first on AeroTime.

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