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France has put a new nuclear-capable missile into service as Russia claims advances in developing next-generation weapons amid tensions between NATO and Moscow. The French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency announced on Tuesday that the third version of the M51 strategic ballistic missile, or M51.3, designed to be fired from nuclear-powered submarines, is operational and will replace the current two versions. Newsweek has emailed both the Russian defense and foreign ministries for comment. Why It Matters France is one of three nuclear-armed NATO member states, along with the United States and the United Kingdom, and is estimated to possess about 290 nuclear warheads ready for use comprising submarine-launched ballistic missiles and air-launched cruise missiles. The fielding of the new French strategic missile came as Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the country’s tests of the Poseidon nuclear-powered torpedo, capable of conducting nuclear strikes, and the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile. The latest nuclear weapons developments follow heightened military tensions in Europe, where NATO is strengthening its defenses amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Moscow recently warned of a potential nuclear clash with the U.S.-led alliance. What To Know The M51 series is France’s fifth generation of ballistic missile and has been in service since 2010, with the M51.1 and M51.2 versions currently deployed on the country’s ballistic missile submarines, France-based aerospace company ArianeGroup said. The M51.3 ballistic missile completed its qualification flight in 2023, followed by validation of its overall performance and demonstration of its compliance with nuclear safety requirements. The prerequisite for entering service was achieved last month. [#Dissuasion] Tir d’essai réussi pour le missile #M51La 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 Compared with previous versions, the M51.3 ballistic missile provides enhanced range, accuracy and the ability to penetrate defenses, according to the defense outlet Naval News. It has a range of up to 6,213 miles and can carry six to 10 nuclear warheads. According to the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project, France’s fleet of four ballistic missile submarines serves as the backbone of the country’s nuclear deterrent, with three submarines expected to be available for patrol. While each of these submarines is designed to carry up to 16 nuclear missiles, France only possesses 48 ballistic missiles—enough to arm three submarines, as the remaining vessel is always undergoing routine maintenance, the Nuclear Information Project said. In a related development, ArianeGroup was awarded a contract by the French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency in August to design and produce the M51.4, the fourth version of the M51 series of ballistic missiles, in response to evolving threats. The new missile will reinforce the credibility of France’s sea-based nuclear deterrent by providing enhanced range, precision and penetration capabilities, ArianeGroup said. The French military conducts the first launch of the M51.3 submarine-launched ballistic missile from a land-based test facility in France on November 18, 2023. What People Are Saying ArianeGroup said in a press release on Tuesday: “The M51 missile program follows an incremental development approach to ensure it keeps pace with changes in the geostrategic context and France’s evolving needs. For ArianeGroup, the only European company capable of designing and producing a strategic missile, this means staying at the forefront of technology and maintaining the highest standards of performance.” The Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project wrote in its report on French nuclear weapons in July: “France’s nuclear weapons arsenal has remained stable in recent years, but significant modernizations are underway of the country’s ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, submarines, aircraft, and nuclear industrial complex. We estimate that France currently has a nuclear weapons stockpile of approximately 290 warheads.” What Happens Next In addition to developing the M51.4 ballistic missile, France is constructing its first next-generation ballistic missile submarine, scheduled to enter service in 2035, with the fourth and final vessel to be delivered in 2050, the Nuclear Information Project said.
