# Expansion of France’s Forward Deterrence Initiative > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/expansion-of-frances-forward-deterrence-initiative > Updated: 2026-09-22T19:43:41.000Z. Sources: 62. Developments: 3. France’s Forward Deterrence Initiative, launched in March 2026 to strengthen European strategic autonomy through nuclear deterrence cooperation, is expanding its membership. Finland has formally joined the program, becoming the tenth European nation to participate. The agreement includes joint military exercises and strategic consultations, with the potential for temporary deployment of French nuclear-capable aircraft. Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated the partnership is intended to “complement, rather than replace or overlap with, NATO’s nuclear deterrence framework.” He further clarified that Finland does not intend to station nuclear weapons on its territory during peacetime. To implement this cooperation, a Nuclear Steering Group will be established in the coming months. Russia has criticized the move, claiming it poses a risk to its security and could make French assets easier targets in a conflict. Following Finland's accession, Estonia has entered discussions regarding its own potential participation. While Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed talks are underway, analysts note that Estonia faces hurdles due to a lack of a fighter fleet capable of participating in the same level of strategic nuclear exercises as nations like Finland or Sweden. Latvia has also entered negotiations to join the initiative. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs announced that French President Emmanuel Macron has agreed to begin talks regarding Latvia's participation. This framework allows allies to integrate into French nuclear doctrine and participate in strategic exercises without the transfer of warheads or shared control over France's arsenal. As part of these discussions, a French delegation is expected to visit Latvia. The move also includes a commitment to increase the French military presence in Latvia, specifically to enhance air defense capabilities in response to perceived hostile actions from Moscow. ## Claims - Finland has decided to join France’s Forward Deterrence Initiative (corroborated by 34 sources) - A nuclear steering group will be established to implement cooperation between France and Finland (corroborated by 33 sources) - Finland does not intend to station nuclear weapons on its territory in peacetime (corroborated by 31 sources) - The initiative does not replace or overlap with NATO’s nuclear deterrence (corroborated by 31 sources) - The initiative includes the potential temporary deployment of French strategic air forces to participating countries (corroborated by 28 sources) - French President Emmanuel Macron launched the Forward Deterrence Initiative in March 2026 (corroborated by 23 sources) - The French initiative will strengthen Europe’s increasingly active approach to defence (corroborated by 9 sources) - Participating nations are not required to make financial contributions to the initiative (corroborated by 6 sources) - France retains sole control over its nuclear arsenal (corroborated by 6 sources) - Russia views the French nuclear deterrence initiative as a risk to its security (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-22: Latvia negotiates joining France’s nuclear deterrence initiative Latvia is negotiating to join France’s ‘Forward Deterrence’ initiative to bolster strategic security and increase French military presence, particularly in air defense, along the NATO eastern flank. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latvia-negotiates-joining-frances-nuclear-deterrence-initiative ### 2026-09-14: Estonia and France discuss nuclear deterrence cooperation Estonia and France are discussing Estonia's potential involvement in France’s nuclear deterrence initiative, despite military capability challenges. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/estonia-and-france-discuss-nuclear-deterrence-cooperation ### 2026-09-14: Finland joins France’s Forward Deterrence Initiative Finland has joined France’s Forward Deterrence Initiative, becoming the 10th European country to cooperate on nuclear deterrence and strategic readiness to bolster European security. 59 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/finland-joins-french-nuclear-deterrence-initiative-1 --- Cite as: Expansion of France’s Forward Deterrence Initiative. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/expansion-of-frances-forward-deterrence-initiative