France has announced plans to refit the Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur air base to host future nuclear-capable Rafale fighters, according to a March 2025 report in Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper.
The decision underscores France’s recognition of the evolving European security landscape in the face of persistent tensions with Russia. It also comes as nations such as Germany and the United Kingdom reevaluate their defense priorities and capabilities.
“If we are to avoid war, our country and our continent must continue to defend, equip and prepare themselves,” French President Emmanuel Macron said, according to the news website Politico Europe.
By transitioning from the aging Mirage bombers to the upcoming Rafale F5, France will leverage modern platforms to enhance its nuclear-strike capabilities.
Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur, in northeastern France, has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s defense. During the Cold War and ensuing decades, it served as a base for Mirage fighters and bombers equipped to deliver nuclear payloads that comprised France’s deterrence force. The air base was integral to ensuring France’s credibility as a nuclear power. France phased out nuclear operations at the base in 2011 amid changes in strategic priorities and advances in technology.
The return of nuclear capability to Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur signals France’s resolve to confront potential adversaries in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Macron has offered to extend France’s nuclear protection to other European countries.
This response aligns with France’s unique position as a nuclear-armed nation and a steadfast NATO member that maintains its nuclear sovereignty while emphasizing its military independence. It is also historic that France would offer nuclear surety beyond their borders to other European Union countries — a pledge they haven’t made since the mid-1960s. This autonomy allows France to address security threats in a manner tailored to its national interests while still contributing to regional stability.
The Rafales, which have advanced avionics and a stealth feature, are expected to enter service in 2030 and deploy at the base by 2035, Macron said, according to the Daily Mail. The warplanes will be armed with the ASN4G, a nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile under development that reportedly will fly at more than 8,000 kilometers per hour with double the range of France’s current air-launched nuclear weapons, according to the Daily Mail.