France has warned that the use of long-range missiles in a conflict with Russia could lead to nuclear escalation. Paris has asked Germany to clarify how it plans to use them. The concern is that Moscow could misinterpret the use of long-range weapons by European allies as the beginning of a broader military offensive.
French and German officials who have spoken on the issue have made this known, describing the tensions between the two countries. The concern is growing as Germany rapidly expands its arsenal of long-range missiles, including systems that will be able to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.
French officials have made clear that they want Berlin’s plans for the development and use of these weapons to be consistent with French nuclear doctrine. The aim is to avoid moves that could lead to uncontrolled escalation. According to a French official, the main risk is the misinterpretation of military signals.
“If the Russians misinterpret the message, we could reach the nuclear threshold without even realising it,” he said. Paris is also worried that Moscow could hold France responsible for attacks by other European allies, even if French military forces were not directly involved.
A cited source noted that France has developed a specific nuclear “grammar and vocabulary” that Germany does not have. This formulation highlights the differences between the two countries in their understanding of nuclear deterrence, the management of military signals to an adversary, and the risk of conflict escalation.
Meanwhile, Berlin is significantly accelerating the strengthening of its military capabilities. Germany plans to invest around 12 billion euros in developing a new arsenal of long-range missiles aimed at deterring Russia. The armament programme includes low-cost cruise missiles, American Tomahawk missiles and advanced weapons systems developed jointly with the United Kingdom.
In this context, Berlin plans to spend almost 3.4 billion euros on procuring American Tomahawk cruise missiles and mobile Typhon launchers. With a reported range of about 2,500 kilometres, these missiles would give Germany the ability to strike targets deep behind enemy lines.
Germany is also working with the United Kingdom on a secret missile development programme. The joint “Deep Precision Strike” programme envisions creating a weapons system capable of striking targets at distances of up to 2,000 kilometres, including military logistics hubs and supply lines inside Russia.
The system could be operational by 2034. Despite French concerns, the German side appears positive about developing a common framework for the use of long-range weapons and managing the risks of escalation. A senior German official said Berlin “could not agree more” with the need for a common doctrine.
“This is not something the French are demanding and we are resisting,” he said. According to him, related discussions had previously reached a deadlock due to internal debates in France about the future of the country’s nuclear strategy. However, he added, consultations between Paris and Berlin are now gaining new momentum.
The rapid development of German long-range missile capabilities has also reignited debate about Berlin’s reluctance to supply Ukraine with similar weapons. Volodymyr Zelensky renewed Kyiv’s request for German Taurus cruise missiles in an interview on 5 November with the German broadcaster ZDF, saying Ukraine wanted to buy the weapons and test them in real combat conditions.
However, Berlin has consistently refused to hand over the missiles, citing concerns about the risk of escalating the war with Russia. For its part, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has argued that Ukraine already has the capability to strike Russian oil refineries and military logistics facilities with domestically produced drones.