France and Germany have conducted their first joint air campaign as part of their forward deterrence initiative, a day after they announced new plans as part of increased defense cooperation.
On 16 July 2026, two French Air Force and Space Force (FASF) Dassault Rafale fighter jets and two Luftwaffe (Luftwaffe) Eurofighter Typhoon fighters conducted the first “joint air campaign” in support of Paris' Forward Deterrence initiative. During the flight, the fighter jet was refueled by a French A330 Phoenix MRTT.
During the exercise, two double-seaters participated gust Bachelor's degree and two from the French Strategic Air Forces (Forces Aériennes Stratégiques – FAS) at Saint-Dizier Air Base (BA 113) eurofighter The deployment of the Luftwaffe's 31st Tactical Air Wing was announced the day before the Franco-German Defense and Security Council summit in Norwenich, Germany.
On July 17, French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz announced a series of military strategies and defense industry cooperation accompanied by their respective cabinets. According to a separate report, “Germany regularly participates in French nuclear exercises” statement From the Elysée Palace.
This refers to the recurring “Poker” nuclear exercise, France's flagship nuclear deterrent exercise, the first of which in 2026 takes place between March 16 and 17. The latest move also builds on the joint statement of March 2, 2026, which laid the foundation for joint strategic military cooperation between the two countries.
📍Discourage nuclear weapons | Declaration of the Commune of France and the French Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/leQcACgC2o
— French Armed Forces – Military Operations (@EtatMajorFR) July 17, 2026
joint air exercise
French Armed Forces note latest joint air campaign 'does not involve nuclear weapons' explain The fighter jets conducted “specific maneuvers.” The aircraft then flew to the Luftwaffe's Norvenich Air Base, where a committee meeting was held the next day, July 17.
The only picture released by the French Joint Staff shows that there are two Eurofighters and two Rafale B fighter jets on the starboard (right) side of the A330, and the underwing refueling hoses are extended when the tanker is flying.
In addition to external fuel tanks, the Rafale carries two MICA-IR air-to-air missiles on its wingtips and four MICA-RF air-to-air missiles on its outermost weapon stations and fuselage mounting points. In addition to external fuel tanks, the German Eurofighter also carries an IRIS-T missile and a Litening targeting pod.
Germany and France conducted the Zusammenarbeit in der Verteidigung. Wir stärken die europäische Abschreckung. During World War II, nuclear war broke out in France. pic.twitter.com/zTtA1eoCHY
— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) July 17, 2026
The French Air Force said: “Two French Rafale fighter jets from Saint-Dizier air base and two German Eurofighters from Norvenich air base joined French MRTT Phoenix aircraft for air-to-air refueling. This event marks the first step within the framework of bilateral strategic cooperation agreed by President Macron and Prime Minister Merz in the joint statement of 2 March 2026. In addition, this effort also contributes to improving the overall interoperability of the French and German air forces (sic)”.
France and Germany lead European defense, strengthen ties
two german chancellors Friedrich Merz and french president Emmanuel Macron Committed to strengthening Europe’s deterrence through deeper defense cooperation, promoting European industrial development and increasing economic resilience. Merz then X specified above Germany will take part in “nuclear exercises of the French Armed Forces” this year.
In summary, French Prime Minister Friedrich Merz told today’s co-chair meeting that we will resolutely strengthen democratic competition, security, defense and resilience.
Le réflexe franco-allemand… https://t.co/9utgniu3Ni
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 17, 2026
Merz greeted Macron at the Norvenich air base near Cologne as the two leaders emerged from a Super Puma helicopter – itself a symbol of the success of Franco-German cooperation. They later chaired a joint defense and security committee meeting alongside French Rafale and Eurofighter fighter jets.
Franco-German nuclear deterrence cooperation follows France's active role in strengthening NATO's eastern flank in the face of Russia. Support Ukrainestrengthen its nuclear deterrent and later expand it to Europe. It also invested 1.5 billion euros to reopen Luxey Air Base Start working with ASN4G Hypersonic nuclear missile.
France is strengthening defense cooperation with its European partners. President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have agreed to strengthen defense cooperation, with Germany set to take part in French nuclear drills later this year. Meanwhile, Poland and France… pic.twitter.com/EUqTHiNtlH
— TVP World (@TVPWorld_com) July 18, 2026
The two countries also have the motivation to repair relations. collapse Sixth Generation Future Combat Air System (flight assistance system) project. “The aim is for both countries to 'recover' from last month's implosion of the Joint Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter program, which fell victim to a row between Airbus and France's Dassault SA,” France 24 Macron was quoted as saying.
Franco-German Defense and Security Council
The Elysee Palace release highlighted the “escalating hybrid threat” wider in Europe, with Russia threatening Nato with its “illegal war of aggression against Ukraine”. The statement identified six areas of bilateral security and defense cooperation and reached consensus on hot issues such as Iran and Lebanon.
The Nuclear Steering Group, established through “confidential consultations” on March 2, will work on “conventional, deep precision strike and missile defense capabilities with nuclear deterrence to improve our ability to manage escalation below the nuclear threshold and develop necessary conventional capabilities.”
French Dotte pendant…
At night, the French sky is quarantined to simulate a nuclear attack.
Code Name: Poker.Pour être prêt, à tout moment.
Guaranteed credit #dissuade. pic.twitter.com/7ZLGxiQ4p6— Air Force and Space Corps (@Armee_de_lair) March 17, 2026
However, the initiative would be subordinate to, rather than prior to, the NATO nuclear deterrence and nuclear sharing agreement in which Germany is a party.
The weapons program includes the development of common European standards for interoperability between fighter jets and drones through modular, open architecture and interfaces; financial and equity measures “for the success and long-term development of pan-European defense company KNDS”; driving the proof-of-concept for the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS); leveraging French aerospace and rocket company Arianne Group's capabilities in the main rocket booster component of the UK-led 2,500km range Deep precision strike (DPS) program; driving strategic space collaboration and interoperability.
