France is one of NATO's 12 founding members, in an alliance that now has 32 countries
Background
As France reviews its defence spending in the 2027 budget, which raises defence credits by 6.4 billion euros, its place in NATO is a standing exam fact. France is one of the 12 founding members that signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C. on 4 April 1949. The other founders are Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. NATO now has 32 member countries.
Founding members:
12
Current members:
32
Treaty signed:
4 April 1949, Washington, D.C.
Why it matters for exams: NATO's founding members, treaty date and size are frequent international-organisation questions.
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In plain words
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization — A political and military alliance of European and North American countries formed under the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty.