In a move reflecting heightened security concerns across Europe, France has launched a $1.7 billion renovation of the Luxeuil-Saint Sauveur air base in the country’s east, aiming to transform it into a nuclear-capable facility by 2035.

The upgrade will prepare the base to host Rafale fighter jets armed with next-generation hypersonic ASN4G nuclear missiles, significantly boosting France’s nuclear deterrent capabilities.

President Emmanuel Macron announced the plan in March during a visit to the site, the same day US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions on the Ukraine war.

Luxeuil will become the first air base to receive the new Rafale jets and nuclear-armed missile systems, making it the most advanced among the four nuclear-capable bases in France.

Currently home to around 20 Mirage-2000 jets, now out of production, the Luxeuil base requires a complete overhaul to accommodate the more advanced and heavier Rafale aircraft.

Base commander Colonel Emmanuel Roux noted that the existing triangular hangars, some dating back to 1952, will be replaced entirely.

“We will have to redo everything for the infrastructure,” he said.

Rafale jets to replace Mirage fleet by 2035

Roux emphasized that the project is on a decade-long timeline, likening it to “building a cathedral.” The base will shut down between 2029 and 2032 for critical work. Upon completion, it will host 50 Rafale jets, each capable of carrying ASN4G hypersonic missiles.

Significant logistical upgrades are planned. The runway will be extended and reinforced, and the personnel capacity will increase substantially, from 300 to over 1,000 technicians. The number of pilots will quadruple, as the Rafale requires a two-person crew.

“Logistics wins the war,” said Roux, highlighting the importance of speed in operations. He noted that a Rafale engine can be changed in one hour and an ejector seat in just 15 minutes.

Macron signals nuclear coordination with EU allies

France’s investment in nuclear air infrastructure also holds broader diplomatic implications. Macron hinted at opening discussions with European allies about deploying French nuclear-armed jets on their territories.

“I will define the framework in a very specific way in the weeks and months to come,” Macron said in a recent televised interview, signaling a potential shift in European nuclear defense coordination.

Luxeuil's geographic location, near the borders of Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Belgium, adds to its strategic value in the broader European military infrastructure landscape.

Russia reacts sharply to French nuclear expansion

Russia swiftly condemned Macron’s remarks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that any move to expand nuclear weapons deployment across Europe “will not add security, predictability or stability to the European continent.”

Despite such pushback, pilots stationed at Luxeuil have expressed readiness to carry nuclear weapons if required. “It’s the weapon of last resort, but I think we’re all ready to use it to protect our loved ones and our nation,” said one pilot who declined to be named.

As geopolitical tensions escalate across the continent, France’s Luxeuil air base renovation marks a decisive step in reinforcing its nuclear defense policy, one that may reshape military dynamics in Europe for decades to come.