France to get more nuclear weapons
Listen to the story (New Zealand accent)
France is increasing its number of nuclear weapons. President Emmanuel Macron announced this change during a speech in Brittany, France.
He said the world is becoming more dangerous and that France wants to have more than 300 nuclear warheads.
France is also starting a new defense plan called "advanced deterrence." Eight other European countries are joining this plan. These countries include Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom. These partners will participate in military exercises with French nuclear planes. Some countries might also host French air bases.
This strategy makes it harder for enemies to attack Europe.
The French president also announced a new nuclear submarine. It is called The Invincible and will start its work in 2036.
Additionally, France and its partners will work together on new technology. This includes space alarms and systems to shoot down drones and missiles.
This is the biggest change to French defense policy since 1960. However, some old rules have not changed. The French president is still the only person who can decide to use a nuclear weapon. There is no official promise to protect other countries, but the goal is to stop enemies from attacking.
President Macron said that any attacker would pay a very high price.
France is also becoming more private about its weapons. From now on, the government will not tell the world exactly how many nuclear warheads it has.
France and Germany are already planning to work closer together. They signed an agreement to start military exercises together this year. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says that European friends are working together so that enemies will not attack.
Vocabulary37 words
- Increase
- to make something bigger; to add more; to go up 📈
- Nuclear weapon
- a very large and powerful bomb; a dangerous tool for war 💣☢
- President
- the leader of a country; the top person in a government
- Announce
- to tell people important news; to say something clearly to everyone 📢
- Speech
- a talk given to a group of people; when a leader speaks to the public 🎤
- Warhead
- the front part of a rocket or missile that explodes
- Defense plan
- a list of ideas to keep a country safe; a way to protect a land from attack 🛡️
- Include
- to have something as a part of a group; to put in
- Partner
- a person or country that works together with another; a friend in business or war 🤝
- Participate
- to take part in something; to do an activity with others
- Military exercise
- training for soldiers; practice for war; a test for the army 🪖
- Nuclear plane
- a fast airplane that can carry very strong bombs ✈️☢
- Host
- to provide a place for someone to stay or use; to welcome others
- Air base
- a place where military planes stay; a home for military airplanes and pilots
- Strategy
- a smart plan to reach a goal; a way to win
- Enemy
- someone who is not a friend; a person or country that wants to fight or hurt you
- Submarine
- a ship that travels under the ocean water
- Nuclear submarine
- a very strong ship that stays under the water and carries powerful bombs ☢
- Additionally
- also; one more thing; in addition
- Space
- the area outside the Earth where the stars and moon are 🌌
- Alarm
- a sound or signal that tells people about danger; a warning
- Shoot down
- to hit something in the air so it falls to the ground 💥
- Drone
- a small flying machine with no pilot inside; a flying robot
- Missile
- a flying weapon that can travel a long way to hit a target
- Policy
- a set of rules; an official way of doing things; a government plan
- Rule
- something that says what you must or must not do ⚖️
- Decide
- to make a choice; to pick one idea after thinking
- Official
- something that is real, formal, or public; not a secret
- Promise
- a word that says you will definitely do something; a strong "yes"
- Protect
- to keep someone or something safe; to stop a person from being hurt 🛡️
- Goal
- aim or purpose; target; something you want to achieve or complete 🎯
- Pay a high price
- to suffer a lot; to have a very bad result after doing something wrong
- Private
- not for everyone to see; secret; only for a few people 🔒
- From now on
- starting at this moment and continuing into the future
- Sign an agreement
- to write your name on a paper to show you agree to a plan ✍️
- Agreement
- a shared plan between two or more people; a promise made on paper
- Prime minister
- the leader of the government in some countries
Quiz
Answer key
1. To stop enemies from attacking Europe 2. It will keep the exact number a secret 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
France is _____ its number of nuclear weapons. President Emmanuel Macron _____ this change during a speech in Brittany, France.
_____ said the world is becoming more dangerous and _____ France wants to have more than 300 nuclear warheads.
_____ is also starting a new defense plan _____ "advanced deterrence." Eight other European countries are joining this _____. These countries include Germany, Poland, and the _____ Kingdom. These partners will participate in _____ exercises with French nuclear planes. Some _____ might also host French air bases.
_____ strategy makes it harder for enemies to attack Europe.
The French _____ also announced a new nuclear submarine. It is called _____ Invincible and will start its work in 2036.
_____, France and its partners will work together on _____ technology. This includes space alarms and systems to shoot down _____ and missiles.
This is the _____ change to French defense policy since _____. However, some old rules have not changed. The French president is _____ the only person who can decide to use a nuclear weapon. There is _____ official promise to protect other countries, but the _____ is to stop enemies from attacking.
President Macron _____ that any attacker would pay a very high price.
France is _____ becoming more private about its weapons. _____ now on, the government will not tell the _____ exactly how many nuclear warheads it has.
France and _____ are already planning to work closer together. _____ signed an agreement to start military exercises together this _____. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says that _____ friends are working together so that enemies will not _____.
Discussion questions
- Do you think it is a good idea for countries to have nuclear weapons to stay safe? Why or why not?
- President Macron says the world is becoming "more dangerous." Do you agree with him? What makes the world feel safe or dangerous to you?
- Is it better for countries to work alone or to work together in a group (like the eight countries mentioned)?
- How do you feel about the government keeping the number of its weapons a secret? Should the public know everything?
- If you were a leader of a country, what would be your most important rule for keeping your people safe?
Common questions
Why is France increasing its nuclear weapons?
President Emmanuel Macron said the world is becoming more dangerous and announced that France intends to have more than 300 nuclear warheads, alongside a new defense plan called 'advanced deterrence'.
Which countries are joining France's 'advanced deterrence' plan?
Eight other European countries are joining, including Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom. Partners will take part in military exercises with French nuclear-capable planes, and some may host French air bases.
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