France unveils new generation of submarine-launched nuclear missiles photo

France has officially commissioned a new generation of its nuclear deterrent missile, the M51.3 intercontinental ballistic missile, marking a major milestone in the modernisation of the country’s strategic forces.

According to French media, the updated M51.3 missiles will be deployed aboard France’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SNLE). The French Defence Ministry confirmed that the latest version has entered active service and will serve as a cornerstone of France’s nuclear deterrence strategy.

“The third version of the M51 submarine-launched strategic ballistic missile (M51.3) has entered service, marking an important step in the modernisation of the oceanic component of the French nuclear deterrent,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry explained that the M51 series of submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles, each equipped with multiple independently targetable nuclear warheads, has been part of France’s Strategic Oceanic Force (FOST) since 2010. The missile family includes three variants — the M51.1, M51.2, and now the M51.3.

The newly introduced M51.3 carries the latest TNO-2 nuclear warheads and represents the culmination of a 12-year modernisation program. According to the French military, this version features an extended range, enhanced precision, and improved armour-piercing capabilities compared to its predecessors.

The M51.3 will be deployed on France’s four SNLE-class ballistic missile submarines, including Le Triomphant. At least one submarine will remain on continuous patrol to ensure France retains the capability to launch a retaliatory nuclear strike even in the event of a direct attack.

Development of the M51.3 was a collaborative effort involving the Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the French Navy, the Atomic and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA), and defence contractor ArianeGroup.

France has already moved on to the next stage of its nuclear deterrent modernisation program — the development of the M51.4 missile. A development contract for this new version was awarded to ArianeGroup in August.

Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that the missile has already been loaded onto a nuclear submarine and is currently undergoing a series of training and testing exercises.

By Tamilla Hasanova