France and nuclear proliferation

The spread of nuclear weapons is a terrible risk for the future of peace. In order to put a halt to this dangerous drift, most nations of the world have committed themselves to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. But this international agreement is unbalanced: on one hand, it authorizes the five permanent members of the Security Council to keep their arsenals, and on the other, it forbids other nations from entering the club of the nuclear powers.

So the nuclear powers have arrogated unto themselves the right to pursue modernization of their arsenals. Ten years after the end of the cold war, France is pursuing her program of so-called "new generation" nuclear submarines as well as new missiles and new nuclear warheads. She thus puts herself in the position of the poor pupil of proliferation.

Echoing proposals made by numerous individuals, this book puts envisions the prospect of France taking the first step toward the phased elimination of a nuclear arsenal with no remaining declared enemy.

Table of contents

The break-down of nuclear disarmament

The SNLE-NG program counter to non-proliferation

• Submarines
• Missiles
• Nuclear warheads
• Estimate of the total cost of the SNLE-NG program

Nuclear submarines, security, and health

• Organization of nuclear intervention by the Army and by the CEA
• Radiation incidents on Ile Longue
• Nuclear safety in question
• What to do in case of an accident at sea?

Nuclear submarines and the environment

• Maintenance of the SNLE-NG reactors
• The functioning of naval propulsion reactors

The SNLE-NG program and the requirements of the non-proliferation treaty

Appendices

• The ASMP-A airborne missile program
• The state of French nuclear forces as of January 1, 2001
• The state of nuclear forces in the world
• Selected bibliography