The Ministry of Defense sees this as confirmation of its ability to provide nuclear deterrence.
France claims to have successfully tested a long-range ballistic missile and sees this as confirmation of its nuclear deterrent capabilities. The M51.3, which was not equipped with warheads, was fired from the military test site at Biscarosse in southwestern France and fell into the North Atlantic, the Defense Ministry said on Sunday. The test confirmed a significant improvement in the rocket.
The French ministry emphasized that the missile fell hundreds of kilometers from any coastal area. Maintaining France’s nuclear deterrent power is necessary in light of international developments, he said.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin repeatedly warned the West that he was prepared to defend Russia with nuclear weapons. The French M51.3 is a development of the M51 ballistic missile, which can be launched from submarines. The first test of an M51 also took place in 2006 from a land base, and the second test in 2010 from a submarine. The new M51.3 is expected to enter service in 2025. It is being developed by ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus and French defense company Safran. (APA/Portal)