L’esercito francese aumenta la presenza: le armi nucleari proteggono anche la Svezia

>At the same time as the US announces a reduced military presence in Europe, France is stepping forward.

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>SVT was on site when French fighter planes flew in directly from their home bases in a unique operation to drop

>bombs over shooting ranges in Norrbotten.

>– Our French vital interests also include the interests of our allies. In that perspective, the nuclear umbrella also applies to our allies and of course Sweden is among them, says Ambassador Thierry Carlier.

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>The French two-seater Rafale planes are lined up at Kallax airfield in Luleå – all of them have devices underneath them to be able to carry the French-developed ASMP-A nuclear missile on other missions.

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>The fighter plane, aerial refueling plane, transport plane and 220 people from the French military were flown in on Tuesday at short notice, directly from, among other things, the Saint-Dizier nuclear base, to participate in operation “Pegase Grand Nord”.

>“Bombs fell”

>The French ambassador highlights on several occasions that it is live, conventional bombs that have been dropped over the Lomben firing range north of Kalix.

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>– Gripen and Rafale have conducted training flights together where they dropped bombs over Swedish training areas, says Ambassador Thierry Carlier.

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>He is the newly appointed ambassador to Sweden and was previously one of France’s highest-ranking military officers.

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>– This is a way to deter our opponent. By showing that we are ready for whatever may happen, and that we have reached this level of capacity together.

As a French, I’m happy to read that Swedish and French are doing trainings together on nuclear deterrance. We need to protect our democracies

From what I’ve heard France has around 50 ASMP-A. That isn’t enough for what Sweden would require as it’d also require French nuclear capable Rafale deployed to Sweden.

There is a debate starting up in the UK at the moment about creating new tactical nuclear weapons. We’ve got enough weapons grade material for about 1000 from what I’ve heard. I wonder if there’s going to be something like US nuclear sharing but the UK/France providing instead of the US.

So that’s what Shoigu was most likely raving about earlier in the day. Yes, yes, we know, cute little russian bear, you have nuclear weapons, but we do too actually.

EDIT : https://kyivindependent.com/shoigu-threatens-europe-with-nuclear-weapons-if-russia-is-faced-with-unfriendly-actions/

Does game theory really endorse them pressing the red button if Sweden was invaded? Hm.