France, Poland plan nuclear-capable drills over Baltic

France and Poland are planning joint air force exercises where Polish pilots will conduct long-range reconnaissance and conventional strikes, while French pilots will simulate the use of ASMP nuclear warheads against Russia and Belarus. The drills are a result of the expansion of the French 'nuclear umbrella' and a strategic doctrine change announced by President Macron in March. The Polish-French military wing will operate outside NATO bureaucracy for faster decision-making, though the final decision on any nuclear weapon use rests solely with the French President. France's nuclear arsenal consists of 290 warheads, while Russia's is estimated at about 5,500.