France has achieved a significant milestone in its defense capabilities with the successful test launch of an upgraded variant of the M51.3 strategic ballistic missile. Sébastien Lecornu, the Minister of the Armed Forces, hailed the November 18, 2023 qualification firing as a resounding success, marking a crucial advancement in the country’s defense technology. Minister Sébastien Lecornu conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to the dedicated teams from the Ministry of the Armed Forces, the Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA), and the collaborative efforts of industrial partners whose contributions were instrumental in ensuring the test’s success.
The test, conducted without a nuclear charge, was orchestrated by the General Directorate of Armaments at the DGA Missile Tests facility in Landes. This accomplishment validates a substantial evolution of the missile, reinforcing France’s oceanic deterrent and securing its credibility for the forthcoming decades. Throughout the missile’s flight phase, the General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) meticulously monitored its trajectory, guaranteeing strict compliance with international commitments. The test was conducted in the North Atlantic, hundreds of kilometers away from any coastline, ensuring safety measures were adhered to with precision.
This pivotal launch, part of the M51 program, underscores the exceptional technological prowess exhibited by French industries in this specialized domain. It reinforces the commitment of the French President to maintain and enhance the operational credibility of the nation’s nuclear forces, ensuring they meet the stringent sufficiency levels dictated by the evolving international landscape. France’s dedication to advancing its defense capabilities in a responsible and measured manner reaffirms its commitment to global security while upholding international agreements and obligations.
The M51 is a French submarine-launched ballistic missile, built by ArianeGroup, and deployed with the French Navy. Designed to replace the M45 Submarine-launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM, Mer-Sol-Balistique-Stratégique), it was first deployed in 2010. The three-stage engine of the M51 is directly derived from the solid propellant boosters of Ariane 5. Like other blunt-nosed SLBM examples, such as the Trident D5, the M51 uses an extensible aerospike in the nose. The missiles are a compromise over the M5 SLBM design, which was to have a range of 11,000 km (6,800 mi) and carry ten new-generation tête nucléaire océanique’ (“oceanic nuclear warhead”) MIRVs.
