France and Germany Strengthen Defense Partnership

France and Germany will discuss deepening cooperation on nuclear deterrence, air and missile defense, long-range strike capabilities and space technologies at a joint ministerial meeting.

Berlin will also consider French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to extend France's nuclear deterrent to European allies. German troops are also expected to take part in a French nuclear exercise for the first time this autumn.

Following the cancellation of the joint Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet program, Paris and Berlin plan to continue work on some of its elements, including the combat cloud, which would connect combat aircraft and facilitate data sharing.

France and Germany are also expected to reaffirm their support for IRIS², the European Union’s planned secure satellite communications constellation.

The talks are aimed at strengthening Europe's defense sovereignty while reducing dependence on US weapons technology.

(Reuters, mja)