France test-fires new nuclear-capable missile: Defence Ministry
France successfully conducted the first test-fire of its M51.3 nuclear-capable ballistic missile from a submarine in the North Atlantic. The test, witnessed by President Emmanuel Macron, is framed as a demonstration of French nuclear deterrence capabilities.
Why it matters
The test serves as a signal of military readiness in the context of heightened tensions between Europe and Russia.
France on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) test-fired for the first time its new M51.3 nuclear-capable ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine, the Defence Ministry said. It was not carrying a warhead.
The missile, a variant of France’s M51 missile, was fired from the Le Vigilant submarine off Brittany and impacted “in the North Atlantic, hundreds of kilometres from any coastline,” it said.
President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the firing from a French warship, an official told AFP .
“The launch was conducted without a nuclear warhead and in strict compliance with France’s international commitments,” the defence ministry said.
The test “once again demonstrates the excellence of the high-tech solutions employed by French industry in the field of nuclear deterrence”, it added.
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