force de frappe
Britishnoun
Etymology
Origin of force de frappe
C20: literally: striking force
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Macron said the eight European countries could take part in exercises of France's air-launched nuclear capacity – or force de frappe - and also host air bases where France's nuclear bombers could be stationed.
From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2026
The country’s force de frappe, its nuclear strike force, was crucial to its political self-image, and those weapons required, France claimed, the South Seas testing.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2025
Implicitly, he almost seemed to endorse Charles de Gaulle's skeptical rationale for building the French force de frappe in 1959; that is, in the final analysis, no U.S.
From Time Magazine Archive
Under Guy, the Rothschilds have also built France's biggest private uranium mining company, which supplies some of the raw material for De Gaulle's force de frappe.
From Time Magazine Archive
The diplomat compares Kim's quest for nuclear power with French President Charles de Gaulle's determination to have his own nuclear force de frappe.
From Time Magazine Archive
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