France and weapons of mass destruction

Uncommon card · No. 116018

France is one of the five nuclear-weapon states recognized by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). As of 2025, the stockpile country's nuclear forces, the Force de dissuasion is estimated at 290 deployed nuclear warheads, making it the fourth-largest confirmed in the world numerically, with delivery primarily by Triomphant-class submarines, and also three cruise missile-armed fighter squadrons. France is not known to possess or develop any chemical or biological weapons. France remains the only NATO member to not participate in its Nuclear Planning Group. France was the fourth country to test a nuclear weapon, in 1960, and tested its first thermonuclear weapon in 1968. Charles de Gaulle was influential in the country's decision to develop both weapons and nuclear forces. France is also believed to have tested neutron bomb designs. The forces were developed in the late 1950s and 1960s to give France the ability to distance itself from NATO while still deterring the Soviet Union. France was...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Ministère des Armées, Licence Ouverte