France successfully tests M51.3 ballistic missile from nuclear submarine

France successfully tests M51.3 ballistic missile from nuclear submarine
France successfully tests M51.3 ballistic missile from nuclear submarine

Successful launch from Brittany waters

France has completed tests of the new M51.3 strategic ballistic missile. The launch took place from a nuclear submarine in the waters off the coast of Brittany.

After liftoff, the missile hit its target in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean.

Head of state observation

French President Emmanuel Macron personally observed the progress of the tests.

Technical advantages of the new variant

Official Paris states that the M51.3 significantly outperforms previous versions of the M51 family. The key advantages of the new model are increased flight range, higher targeting accuracy, and improved capability to penetrate missile defence systems.

Context of France's nuclear status

It is worth noting that France remains the only country within the European Union that possesses nuclear weapons. Despite this, its arsenal is significantly smaller in volume: it is approximately 15 times smaller than Russia's and almost 14 times smaller than the US arsenal.

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