ABSTRACT
The French are planning a significant transformation of their nuclear forces, which will intensify Western and Soviet consideration of the importance of French nuclear forces to the East-West balance. The French are upgrading both the strategic and the tactical elements of their nuclear arsenal. The major change in tactical nuclear weapons will be the addition of the capability to attack military targets in Eastern Europe. The expansion of the striking power of the French Oceanic Strategic Force is the most significant element of the French strategic modernization effort, there are plans to deploy a mobile land-based intermediate-range ballistic missile as well. The quantity of French nuclear forces will be significantly increased by the modernization program. A very important change will take place in the relationship between the tactical and strategic forces. The French are engaging in a significant nuclear modernization program.
