Фото: Википедия
Poland and France are preparing joint military exercises that will include scenarios simulating nuclear strikes on targets in Russia and Belarus. Details of the manoeuvres were reported by Wirtualna Polska.
The exercises will take place over NATO’s eastern flank, primarily above the Baltic Sea and northern Poland. They are part of efforts to extend France’s “nuclear umbrella” to countries exposed to what is described as the Kremlin’s aggressive policy, and follow decisions announced by President Emmanuel Macron in Brest on March 2, 2026.
According to the report, French Rafale B aircraft equipped with ASMP missiles carrying nuclear warheads will simulate nuclear strikes on targets in Russia and Belarus. Aircraft of this type are capable of flying from France to the Budapest–Kaliningrad line. In the exercise scenario, Polish pilots will carry out long-range reconnaissance and target designation, as well as conduct strikes using conventional weapons, primarily JASSM-ER cruise missiles launched from F-16 fighter jets, hypothetically aimed at high-value targets in the Saint Petersburg area.
It is noted that nuclear warheads will not be permanently stored in Poland, but will periodically be present on Rafale aircraft during exercises. The decision to use nuclear weapons remains the exclusive prerogative of the President of France, and the Polish side will have no influence over it.
“A key element of these plans is that the Polish-French armed unit being created will, so to speak, operate outside NATO’s bureaucratic system. The development of joint procedures will allow decisions on defence to be taken much faster. The scenarios of Polish-French exercises will serve as additional plans in the event of an attack by Russia, but will not be an element triggered after lengthy discussions under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty,” a WP source said.
In addition to the periodic presence of Rafale aircraft with nuclear warheads, France has also proposed cooperation with Poland in satellite intelligence. Work is also underway on the European Long-Range Strike Approach hypersonic missile project with a range of up to 2,500 kilometres, described as a response to Russia’s “Oreshnik” system deployed in Belarus, the publication reported.