France test-fires ballistic missile in bid to boost nuclear deterrence

France has successfully test-fired an M51.3 long-range ballistic missile, boosting the credibility of France's nuclear deterrence capabilities, the defence ministry said on Sunday.

A photo of the test firing of an M51.3 strategic ballistic missile on 18 November on the website of the French Government defence procurement and technology agency (DGA). © DGA EM

The missile, which did not carry a nuclear weapon, was fired from the French army's Biscarosse missile testing site in southwest France on Saturday night and landed in the North Atlantic, "hundreds of kilometres from any coastline" the ministry said.

"The flight has allowed us to confirm a major improvement of the missile which will contribute to the lasting credibility of France's oceanic deterrence in coming decades," the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

"First successful test firing of an M51.3 strategic ballistic missile!" Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu wrote on X, formerly Twitter, adding that it not only confirmed the credibility of France's nuclear deterrent but also "demonstrates the excellence of our launch sector".

The ministry said that maintaining operational credibility of France's nuclear weapons was necessary given the international environment.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned the West that he would be ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia.

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[#Dissuasion] Tir d’essai réussi pour le missile #M51

La DGA a coordonné et de conduit avec succès un tir d’essai de missile M51 sans charge militaire depuis son site de Biscarrosse.

Il s’agissait du 1er tir d’un missile #M51 en version M51.3.#NotreDéfense @Armees_Gouv pic.twitter.com/pqZy2LJLxD

— Direction générale de l'armement (@DGA) November 18, 2023

Joint venture

The M51.3 missile is an upgraded version of the M51, a three-stage sea-land strategic ballistic missile designed to be launched from French Navy submarines.

The M51 was first test-fired from a ground base in 2006 and from a submarine in 2010, the year it was commissioned.

The new M51.3 missile is expected to enter service around 2025. It has been developed by aerospace firm ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus and French defence group Safran.

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Ballistic missiles are similar to rockets and follow elliptic trajectories after launch, often leaving the earth's atmosphere to reach lower space.

They differ from cruise missiles, which typically follow straight trajectories at low altitude, powered by continuous thrust until they reach their target.

(with newswires)