French Nuclear Forces,

Abstract

This paper briefly reviews French declaratory strategy, explores France's current and projected force structure, develops a first order approximation of her nuclear capabilities, and draws some implications from France's strategic modernization program. The analysis suggests that a middle-sized power can maintain an independent deterrent, although it imposes costs in conventional capacity and results in heavy dependence on its SLBM leg. Also, France's expanded strategic forces are generating renewed pressure for a reevaluation of her relationship with West Germany, the Atlantic Alliance, and NATO.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 05, 1984
Accession Number
ADA145245

Entities

People

  • J. J. Hyland Iii

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Attrition
  • Ballistic Missile Submarines
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Carrier Based Aircraft
  • Deterrence
  • Governments
  • Medium Power
  • Military Organizations
  • Reliability
  • Security
  • Strategic Weapons
  • Tanker Aircraft
  • United States
  • Ussr
  • Weapon Systems

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
  • Strategic Security Studies