Written Question·Ministry of Defence·UIN 69945

France: Military Alliances

Tabled: 22 July 2025
Answered: 2 September 2025
Named Day

Question

James Cartlidge

Conservative — South Suffolk

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July to Question 67413 on France: Military Alliances, whether his Department recognises any distinction between strategic and sub-strategic nuclear capabilities.

Answer

Maria Eagle
The UK does not categorise nuclear weapon capabilities as either strategic or sub-strategic. The UK and NATO have said that any employment of nuclear weapons against NATO would fundamentally alter the nature of a conflict.