On Friday, July 19th, 2026, the leaders of Germany and France announced a new nuclear cooperation agreement aimed at deepening European defence self-reliance. Chancellor Friedrich Merz revealed that German conventional forces will participate in a nuclear exercise conducted by the French armed forces before the end of the year. This announcement followed talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Norvenich airbase near Cologne in western Germany.

Merz emphasized that this cooperation "complements" the existing NATO nuclear sharing agreement, to which Germany remains committed. Currently, US nuclear bombs are stationed in Germany as part of NATO's deterrent strategy, and German fighter jets are certified to potentially carry these weapons in emergencies.

Highlighting a significant policy shift, Merz noted that previous German leaders had declined offers of nuclear cooperation with France, stating, "the world we live in today requires new answers." For now, Germany's participation in the nuclear exercise will involve conventional means.

This move underscores growing European efforts to build up their own defence capabilities amid uncertainties about the future of US security commitments to the continent.

Sources