Airbus chairman calls for European tactical nuclear weapons to deter Russia

Speaking at the Berlin Security Conference, Airbus Chairman René Obermann called on European countries to consider deploying tactical nuclear weapons to deter Russia.

Obermann emphasized that this step would be a direct response to the threat posed by Russian Iskander missiles deployed in Kaliningrad and Belarus, which are capable of carrying tactical nuclear warheads.

According to the Reuters news agency, Obermann highlighted Russia’s capabilities, stating:

“Our Achilles’ heel seems to lie in what Russia is threatening us with quite openly: more than 500 tactical nuclear warheads on Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad, right on our doorstep, in addition to those newly deployed in Belarus.”

Expectation of a joint strategy from three major countries

The Airbus Chairman stated that Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and other relevant countries should develop a phased, joint nuclear deterrence program that also covers the tactical level.

“I think this would be an important signal for deterrence,” Obermann commented.

He argued that Europe should not focus solely on strategic forces in its defense planning and must not ignore Russia’s significant tactical potential.

In military terminology, tactical nuclear weapons are designed for direct use on the battlefield, typically with lower explosive yields ranging from 1 to 50 kilotons.

In contrast, strategic warheads with yields over 100 kilotons are developed to target large cities and vast areas.

The current state of Europe’s nuclear inventory

According to an analysis by Politico, France possesses approximately 290 nuclear warheads and the United Kingdom has about 225, but both countries only have strategic weapons and do not have tactical warheads in their inventories.

Europe also lacks a common doctrine for responding to a limited nuclear attack.

Germany, despite participating in NATO’s nuclear sharing program, does not have its own arsenal.

The magazine notes that Russia has the world’s largest stockpile, with approximately 5,580 nuclear weapons.