France to Base Rafale F5 Fighters with Hypersonic Nuclear Missiles near German Border

France plans to station Rafale F5 fighter jets armed with ASN4G hypersonic nuclear cruise missiles at Luxeuil Air Base near the German border, expanding its nuclear deterrence program.

President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement during a visit to the airbase, outlining a $1.6 billion modernization plan to prepare it for next-generation nuclear capabilities.

The upgraded airbase will host two squadrons of Rafale F5 aircraft, totaling 40 jets. The F5 variant, currently in development, will feature enhanced electronic warfare systems, improved connectivity, and a ‘loyal wingman’ drone capability. The Rafale's airframe is undergoing a transformation with the introduction of conformal fuel tanks and advanced radar-cross-section reduction kits. These upgrades will elevate the aircraft's stealth profile, rendering it an even more formidable force in the skies

The Rafale F5 is expected to be operational by 2035, with the first squadron arriving in 2032. Initial studies for F5 were started last year.

The Rafale variant currently in French service has a top speed of 863 miles per hour (750 knots) and a maximum takeoff weight of 54,000 lbs (24.5 tons).

The ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile, developed by MBDA with ONERA’s support, will replace the current ASMPA missile in French service. Designed to exceed Mach 5, the missile will have a range of over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles), making it more capable than the current ASMP-A. The ASMP-A, powered by a liquid-fuel ramjet, reaches speeds above Mach 3 with a range of around 500 kilometers (310 miles) and carries a 300-kiloton thermonuclear warhead.

France currently operates three nuclear-capable airbases—Saint-Dizier, Istres, and Avord—where Rafale jets armed with ASMPA missiles are stationed. The decision to reintroduce nuclear capabilities to Luxeuil, which previously hosted nuclear assets before 2011, reflects a shift in European defense planning amid discussions about reducing reliance on U.S. security guarantees.

Macron also announced plans to increase Rafale orders to replace Mirage aircraft transferred to Ukraine. This comes as Germany’s incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed discussions on nuclear-sharing arrangements with France and the U.K., indicating a broader European push for greater strategic autonomy.