UK-France Nuclear Steering Group Advances Cooperation Under Northwood Declaration
Senior officials and military personnel from the United Kingdom and France recently convened in London to further nuclear cooperation as outlined in the Northwood Declaration. The Nuclear Steering Group (NSG), co-chaired by the UK Cabinet Office and the Presidency of the French Republic, reviewed significant progress in deepening coordination between the independent nuclear deterrents of both nations. The NSG highlighted the importance of potential adversaries understanding that they would face the combined strength of both forces if they threatened the vital interests of either nation. A key indicator of increased operational alignment was the UK's recent participation in France's airborne nuclear exercise, Operation Rummy. Discussions also included France’s 'Forward Deterrence' initiative, which the NSG recognized as providing significant value to European security and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic region, further complicating the calculations of potential adversaries beyond NATO. Building on the 2010 ...
