February 18, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Germany won’t build nukes but could flash French, UK weapons to deter foes, Merz says
Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested examining whether France and the U.K. could be elevated to the same level as the U.S. nuclear umbrella.
Technicians prepare a Tornado for take-off in the shelter at Nörvenich Air Base, Germany, in April 2025. (Oliver Berg/picture alliance via Getty Images)BERLIN — Germany does not want to pursue nuclear weapons of its own, but is interested in incorporating French and British atomic bombs in a deterrence arrangement reminiscent of NATO’s U.S.-based nuclear umbrella, according to Chancellor Friedrich Merz.“I don’t want Germany to consider developing its own nuclear weapons,” Merz said in the Machtwechsel podcast, published online on Wednesday. It was the first major interview the chancellor gave this year.
Instead, Merz suggested seeing whether France and the U.K. could be elevated to the same level as the U.S. nuclear umbrella to shield Europe and ensure NATO’s territorial integrity.“As with the Americans, the final decision in this case rests with the French and the British,” Merz said, describing employment scenarios for such weapons.France and the U.K.