France to increase nuclear arsenal

Emmanuel Macron has announced France will increase its nuclear arsenal - claiming that France needs to be "feared" on the world stage.  The French President will also allow temporary deployment of its nuclear-armed aircraft to allied countries for the first time ever.

The move is part of a new strategy aimed at strengthening Europe's independence amid heightened geopolitical tension, but has been condemned by disarmament campaigners. "To be free, one needs to be feared," Macron said at a military base at Ile Longue on Monday.

The base, in northwestern France, hosts the country's ballistic missile submarines. Macron said the new posture could "provide for the temporary deployment of elements of our strategic air forces to allied countries.