France is investing $1.7 billion to upgrade its Luxeuil-Saint Sauveur air base, located in the eastern hills of the country, to bolster its nuclear deterrent capabilities. The comprehensive renovation, expected to take a decade, will enable the base to accommodate next-generation hypersonic missiles carried by 50 Rafale fighter jets by 2035.
The project highlights France’s renewed emphasis on national security amid increasing tensions in Europe. President Emmanuel Macron announced in March that Luxeuil would be the first air base to welcome the latest Rafale jets along with ASN4G nuclear-capable air-to-ground missiles. This upgrade will transform Luxeuil into France’s fourth—and most modern—nuclear weapons storage base.
Currently, Luxeuil hosts about 20 Mirage-2000 jets, aircraft no longer in production. The base’s infrastructure, including triangle-shaped hangars built in 1952, requires a full overhaul to support the larger and heavier Rafales. According to Base Commander Colonel Emmanuel Roux, the hangars will be replaced as the Rafale cannot fit within the existing structures. Additionally, the runway will be extended and reinforced to handle these advanced jets.
Security enhancements will accompany infrastructure upgrades, equipping the base with modern facilities to support nuclear operations. Colonel Roux compared the scale and complexity of the renovation to building a cathedral, emphasizing the need to prepare for aircraft and weapon systems still under development. Luxeuil will temporarily close from 2029 to 2032 to allow for the most significant construction phases and to receive the initial Rafale squadron.
The upgrade will also necessitate expanding personnel, with the current team of 300 technicians expected to swell to 1,000 once fully operational. The number of pilots will quadruple due to the Rafale’s two-person crew configuration. Logistics and rapid turnaround times will be critical, with the base able to perform a Rafale engine replacement in one hour and ejector seat maintenance in 15 minutes.
Strategically positioned near France’s borders with Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Belgium, Luxeuil’s enhanced capabilities may play an important role in Europe’s evolving security landscape. Reflecting these concerns, President Macron indicated France’s openness to discussions with other European nations regarding the possible deployment of French nuclear-armed jets on the continent, given the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
These statements have met criticism from Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned any notion of nuclear proliferation in Europe as destabilizing, arguing it would undermine security and predictability in the region.
Despite the geopolitical tensions, French pilots at Luxeuil affirm their readiness to operate nuclear weapons, acknowledging their role as a deterrent of last resort essential to protecting the nation.
