NATO’s defense ministers have reaffirmed the concept of strategic nuclear forces as the supreme guarantee of allied security. The ministers, at a June 2026 meeting of the Nuclear Planning Group, underscored the essential role of extended deterrence in sustaining NATO cohesion during an increasingly volatile period of strategic competitors. As the global security environment grows more complex, assurance, readiness, and allied consultation remain the core principles that make deterrence credible.
Extended deterrence refers to the commitment by nuclear-armed states to protect allied nations. For NATO, this architecture relies heavily on the United States’ nuclear umbrella, which is supported by the independent arsenals of France and the United Kingdom. This framework binds the 32 member states together in collective defense. By guaranteeing the security of non-nuclear allies, extended deterrence not only deters potential adversaries but also removes the need for other European nations to develop their own nuclear weapons. Consequently, the Alliance’s deterrence strategy strongly supports global nonproliferation efforts and prevents regional arms races.
The credibility of extended deterrence hinges directly on military readiness. The strategic environment is now characterized by Russian aggression in Ukraine and advancements in both weaponry and defenses. In response to these compounding risks, NATO has accelerated its modernization. The Alliance is updating its force posture with the deployment of modernized B61-12 gravity bombs to Europe, while transitioning several host nations to new dual-capable
F-35 fighter aircraft. NATO leaders also recently implemented multidomain defense plans designed to ensure that allied forces remain survivable, prompt and fully capable of responding to threats across both conventional and nuclear domains.
Equally important to physical readiness is ongoing allied consultation, which sustains the political unity required for effective deterrence. The Nuclear Planning Group remains the central forum for these critical deliberations, allowing non-nuclear member states to participate directly in shaping nuclear policy, force posture and combined exercises. This structured burden-sharing demonstrates a shared assumption of risk among members.
Ultimately, extended deterrence requires constant and rigorous adaptation. As geopolitical rivalries continue to intensify, NATO must carefully balance its conventional force enhancements with its established nuclear capabilities. Through sustained assurance, modernized readiness programs and deep political consultation, the Alliance aims to firmly preserve peace, prevent external coercion and maintain the collective stability of the Euro-Atlantic area.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies, NATO and The Guardian newspaper contributed to this report.