Nuclear impasse with France after subs row
EFFORTS to persuade France not to use live nuclear missiles in military drills have been delayed in the fallout of the Aukus submarine row, sources have revealed.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace had been due to meet French counterpart Florence Parly to discuss “concerns” over the practice.
But it was postponed after the announcement of the Aukus defence alliance between Australia, the UK and the US, which saw Paris lose a £47billion deal to build submarines for Australia.
Unlike Britain, France uses submarines and aircraft for its nuclear deterrent, and regularly runs training “scrambles” in three stages, called Banco, Poker and Excalibur.
Banco involves aircraft belonging to France’s Strategic Air Forces being sent to bases where they are armed with missiles. They do not take off. Adhering to strict nuclear protocols, crews remain alert in their cockpits for several hours before the missiles are unloaded and they return to their bases, where they undergo a largescale debriefing.
Until recently, France used dummy warheads for drills, but this is believed to have changed in recent months in an attempt to make them as realistic as possible. The frequency of Banco tests has also increased.
“The way France deploys its nuclear deterrent is a matter for France,” said a Whitehall source. “But there are concerns on this side of the
Channel about the use of real warheads. It was to be discussed in the meeting, which was postponed due to the announcement.”
France was left infuriated by the
Aukus deal, which it viewed as a betrayal. The postponement of thewallace meeting was just one indication of how angry Paris remains.
Last week, the French signed a pact with Greece, which will see it sell frigates and jets to its ally. It will also see France “fully back” Greek territorial claims over Cyprus which are disputed by Nato member Turkey and have been the cause of rising tensions in recent months. It could further deepen divisions between EU interests and those of Nato, and prove a headache for Britain, one of the guarantors of peace in divided Cyprus.
A Whitehall source said: “We are waiting for more clarity as to what this defence pact could mean in practice, but as things stand there is scope to be concerned it may affect the balance in Cyprus.”
‘Concern over real warheads’