European leaders revealed deep divisions over defence and strategic autonomy at the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC), where debates centred on a sovereign Europe facing pressures from the United States, China, and Russia.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz opened the conference with a speech emphasizing Europe’s necessary to take responsibility for its security. Merz rejected the Trump-era appeasement strategy, declaring, “MAGA’s war is not ours,” and expressed support for French President Emmanuel Macron’s vision of a sovereign Europe. He confirmed that Germany and France have launched confidential discussions on European nuclear deterrence while maintaining Germany’s NATO obligations and compliance with the 2+4 Treaty, which prohibits the counattempt from possessing nuclear weapons.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also finishorsed cooperation with France on a potential European nuclear umbrella, reflecting growing interest in reducing reliance on the United States. However, Merz faced domestic constraints, including strong anti-nuclear sentiment in Germany and political uncertainty in France and the UK ahead of upcoming elections, which could hinder collaboration.
The conference also highlighted tensions in the Franco-German defence partnership. The next-generation fighter jet programme FCAS, designed to replace Germany’s Eurofighter Typhoons and France’s Rafale by 2040, stalled over leadership disagreements between France’s Dassault and Germany’s Airbus. Merz publicly questioned the necessary for a joint aircraft and blamed the French side, while Macron suggested the possibility of two separate models. Experts cited both industrial disputes and France’s internal politics as factors complicating progress.
The MSC discussions underscore the challenges of achieving European strategic autonomy amid political, industrial, and electoral uncertainties, revealing the fragility of the Franco-German axis in shaping Europe’s defence future.
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