France test-fires new nuclear missile as Macron watches

France fired its newest submarine-launched ballistic missile, the M51.3, for the first time on Tuesday, Oct. 6, the defence ministry said. The unarmed missile was launched from the nuclear submarine Le Vigilant off Brittany and came down "in the North Atlantic, hundreds of kilometres from any coastline". President Emmanuel Macron watched from the Navy frigate Auvergne. He said the launch showed the credibility of France's nuclear deterrent, at a time of rising tension with Russia.reuters+3

The missile carried no nuclear warhead or other payload, and the ministry said the test was carried out "in strict compliance" with France's international obligations. The launch also certified that Le Vigilant can again deploy the weapon after a major maintenance overhaul. French ballistic missile submarines go through a similar test firing after each major refit; Le Terrible did so in April 2023.defence-blog+2

Macron: "To be free, one must be feared"

In a post on X, Macron wrote that "very few nations possess such know-how." He credited the DGA procurement agency, the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), ArianeGroup, Naval Group and the French Navy. "This technical success is a new demonstration of the credibility of our deterrence," he wrote, adding: "To be free, one must be feared. And to be feared, one must be powerful." In a video of the launch, Macron also said: "Today we are stronger. The message has been sent loud and clear for wherever it must be received."ua+3

Macron said the armed forces' budget will have doubled over ten years. He added that France's next-generation strategic submarines are being built and that a program for hypersonic, maneuvering strategic missiles for the air-based deterrent began this year.defence-blog+1

A test against a tense backdrop

The ministry's statement did not mention Russia. However, the launch came after President Vladimir Putin warned the West last week not to threaten Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania. Moscow has said it would defend Kaliningrad with nuclear weapons if necessary. NATO said none of its activities threaten Russian territory. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on Moscow to "stop the nuclear threats".ibtimes+1

In March, Macron said France would expand its nuclear arsenal for the first time in decades. He also offered European partners joint exercises and the possible short-term deployment of nuclear-capable assets on allied territory.reuters+1

The missile

The M51.3 is the third version of the M51, a three-stage, solid-fuel missile built by ArianeGroup. It carries the TNO-2 warhead and is designed to be more accurate and better at getting past missile defences. It was first flight-tested from a land site in 2023 and entered service in October 2025. Paris does not disclose the missile's range. Public estimates for the M51 family put it at around 9,000 km or more, and French officials say the new version flies farther.reuters+1

France is the only nuclear power in the European Union. It has about 290 warheads, the world's fourth-largest arsenal, and spends roughly €5.6 billion a year to maintain them. Its four ballistic missile submarines form the core of its sea-based deterrent.newsweek+1