President Emmanuel Macron said Monday evening that France will expand its atomic arsenal and could deploy nuclear-armed aircraft to allied countries for the first time, as he unveiled an unprecedented plan to bolster security on the continent.

Speaking from the Ile Longue nuclear submarine base as the clock ticks on his presidency, Macron announced that eight European countries including Germany, Poland, Sweden and Britain had agreed to participate in what he called a “forward” nuclear deterrence scheme.

“Today more than ever, independence cannot mean isolation,” Macron said in his 50-minute speech, with one of France’s four ballistic missile submarines in the background.

“We are currently experiencing a period of geopolitical upheaval fraught with risks,” Macron said, speaking after the launch of US and Israeli attacks against Iran in a campaign that risks destabilising the Middle East.

Macron said eight European countries had agreed to join his plan to use France’s nuclear stockpile to bolster security on the continent. “Germany will be a key partner in this effort,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nato chief Mark Rutte said yesterday there was broad backing among US European allies for President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran. “I feel widespread support in Europe. I was on the phone with many leaders over the weekend and also early this week,” Rutte told journalists on a visit to North Macedonia.