force de frappe

/ fɔrs də frap /

noun

1. a military strike force, esp the independent nuclear strike force of France

Word History and Origins

Origin of force de frappe¹

C20: literally: striking force

Example Sentences

France clings fiercely to its “force de frappe”.

From The Guardian

Recalling that it was Charles de Gaulle who had first engendered France's force de frappe in the '60s, they accused Chirac of trying to prove his Gaullist credentials and burnish his presidential stature by reaffirming France's status as a nuclear power.

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

All three candidates agree on the broad outlines of foreign and defense policy, with provisions for the maintenance of an independent nuclear force de frappe regardless of future disarmament moves by the superpowers.

From Time Magazine Archive

Hernu almost single-handedly persuaded the Socialist Party in 1976 to support the French nuclear force de frappe, which it had officially opposed for six years.

From Time Magazine Archive