France Tests Advanced Submarine-Launched Nuclear Missile
The French Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday that it had conducted the first test launch of its newest generation submarine-launched ballistic missile, the M51.3, thereby affirming its nuclear deterrence capabilities amid rising tensions with Russia.
In a statement, the ministry said the missile, which was not equipped with a nuclear warhead, was launched off the coast of Brittany as part of a process to verify the capability of the nuclear submarine Le Vigilant to deploy the weapon following a comprehensive overhaul.
The ministry added that the launch was carried out without a payload and in strict compliance with international commitments.
Although the announcement did not mention Russia, the test comes after President Vladimir Putin warned the West last week against escalating the confrontation over Ukraine by threatening the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, located between Poland and Lithuania, both EU members, which Moscow has stated it would defend with nuclear weapons if necessary.
NATO says none of its training exercises or activities pose a threat to Russian territory, while Putin maintains that his country has no intention of attacking any European nation and seeks peaceful coexistence.
President Emmanuel Macron said in a video posted on the X platform, showing him watching the launch, “We are stronger today. The message was sent loudly and clearly to all who needed to hear it.”
In March, Macron announced that France would expand its nuclear arsenal and launched an initiative offering European partners joint exercises, the possibility of deploying assets capable of carrying nuclear weapons on allied territories in the short term, and deeper consultations.
France spends approximately 5.6 billion euros ($6.04 billion) annually to maintain its stockpile of 290 weapons deployed from submarines and aircraft, representing the world’s fourth-largest nuclear arsenal. The United Kingdom possesses 225 nuclear warheads, while Russia and the United States each hold more than 5,000.
