Macron oversees test of submarine-launched nuclear-capable missile: Few countries possess similar expertise

French President Emmanuel Macron oversaw the morning of yesterday the “first test launch” of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads from a nuclear-powered submarine off the country’s western coast, according to announcements by the Élysée Palace and the Ministry of Armed Forces. The presidency told the Agence France-Presse that Macron observed the launch from aboard a frigate of the French Navy, describing it as a “(…) strong and clear message” to France’s adversaries. Macron posted on the X platform, accompanied by a video of the launch, that “very few countries possess similar expertise.” He added that “our nuclear deterrent protects us and will continue to protect us,” following his recent intensification of warnings about Russian “threats.” The Ministry of Armed Forces stated in a press release that the missile, which is the third version of the M51 sea-based strategic ballistic missile, was not equipped with a nuclear warhead during the test, and that it fell “in the North Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of kilometers from any coastline.” The ministry added that the M51 missile was launched from the submarine Le Vigilant as part of the “Semiramis” operation, aimed at verifying the submarine’s ability to use the M51 missile after its routine maintenance and repair period. The operation took place off the coast of Brittany in northwestern France, and the missile fell in the North Atlantic Ocean, hundreds of kilometers from any coastline. The Élysée had not previously announced this presidential activity, which took place without media presence, although the military test had been announced. The test comes amid rising tensions in Europe, where Macron has warned of a shift in the nature of “Russian aggression and threats” directed against European countries, following a series of “multi-vector” attacks attributed to Moscow. In mid-September, he pledged that these attacks “will not go unanswered.” Earlier this year, the French president also urged Europeans to join his “advanced” nuclear deterrent system, stemming from a new doctrine unveiled in the spring, which reserves the decision to use nuclear weapons exclusively to France. France entered service last year with this new version of intercontinental ballistic missiles deployed on submarines tasked with nuclear deterrence. At the time, the step was described as “a key stage in updating the sea-based component of France’s nuclear deterrent.”