German military personnel are set to participate for the first time in nuclear military exercises, alongside French soldiers. The maneuvers, named “Poker,” are scheduled to take place this fall.
The decision represents a significant step in Franco-German military and nuclear deterrence cooperation, writes Antena3. Friedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron are set to agree on the joint exercise during the Franco-German Security and Defense Council meeting. The event will be organized at the Noervenich air base, on Friday.
In a landmark speech in March, Macron stated that several European countries, including Germany, had agreed to increase cooperation with France in the field of nuclear deterrence.
Options for this new cooperation include participation in “Poker”, an exercise in which aerial nuclear bombings are simulated, using the French Rafale aircraft, capable of carrying nuclear payloads.