Context: Recently, the French President has stated that France is open to dialogue on potentially stationing its nuclear weapons in other European countries to strengthen deterrence. This development occurred amid security concerns in Europe due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Nuclear Sharing Model; Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Why is France offering a broader Nuclear Role in Europe?
- France’s willingness to consider stationing its nuclear weapons in other European countries is rooted in its long-standing vision of European strategic autonomy- the idea that Europe should be able to defend itself independently of outside powers, especially the United States.
- The US President earlier stated that the US might not always protect NATO allies unless they spend 2% of their GDP on defence. This made European countries look for other ways to ensure their security.
What is the Nuclear Sharing Model?
- Nuclear sharing involves a nuclear-weapon state stationing nuclear weapons on allied non-nuclear-weapon states’ territory with specific arrangements for potential use.
- For example, within NATO, the US has maintained such arrangements for decades. Currently, B61 tactical nuclear gravity bombs (of the US) are deployed in five NATO states: Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey. Under these arrangements, the US retains legal ownership and custody of the warheads. The US President also retains the power to make the decision to use these weapons, following NATO consultation.
- This Cold War-era posture aims to demonstrate alliance solidarity, and share nuclear risks.
Is it legal under International Law?
- The 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the primary legal instrument for regulating nuclear weapons.
- Article I of the treaty prohibits nuclear-weapon states (like France) from transferring nuclear weapons or control over them.
- Existing NATO nuclear sharing is justified by participants as being NPT-compliant because no transfer of legal ownership or control occurs in peacetime; the US maintains custody.
- However, the non-proliferation advocates and various research institutions have consistently challenged this legality.
Security Implications of France’s decision:
Deploying additional nuclear weapons in Europe has varied security implications:
- Proponents argue it could enhance deterrence against Russia by increasing NATO’s nuclear assets and demonstrating European resolve.
- Russia would likely view such deployments as a significant escalation, potentially leading to military-technical measures in response as Russian officials have repeatedly warned against NATO’s eastward military expansion. Russia’s 2023 stationing of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is cited by some as a preceding escalatory step.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT):
- NPT is a multilateral treaty aimed at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons including three elements: (1) Non-proliferation, (2) Disarmament (3) Peaceful use of Nuclear Energy.
- It defines nuclear weapon states (NWS) as those that had manufactured and detonated a nuclear explosive device prior to 1 January 1967.
- Five nuclear weapon states are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. All the other states are therefore considered non-nuclear weapon states (NNWS).
- The Treaty does not affect the right of state parties to develop, produce, and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verifies NNWS compliance with commitments under the NPT not to acquire nuclear weapons.
- Negotiations of such an agreement should begin immediately after the NNWS accession to the NPT and enter into force within 18 months.
Why did India not sign the NPT?
- India, Israel, and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons but have never accepted the NPT.
- India did not sign the NPT, not because of its lack of commitment for non-proliferation, but because NPT creates a club of "nuclear haves" and a larger group of "nuclear have-nots" by restricting the legal possession of nuclear weapons to those states that tested them before 1967.
- India considers NPT as a flawed treaty and as it does not recognise the need for universal, non-discriminatory verification and treatment.