Duncan Looi
FRANCE carried out the acceptance test launch of an M51.3 strategic submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from their nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Le Vigilant witnessed by president Emmanuel Macron aboard the FS Auvergne and was emphasised to be “in strict compliance with France’s international commitments.”
Conducted by the Defence Procurement and Technology Agency (DGA), French Navy, Naval Group as the submarine’s builder together with ArianeGroup, industrial prime contractor for the M51 missile system conducted the test launch off the coast of Finistere.
“The firing of M51 strategic missiles from ballistic missile submarines represents a major milestone in the operational life of the system, for which ArianeGroup is the prime contractor. This launch marks a decisive step for the programme and underlines the operational excellence of ArianeGroup and its partners: it is the first missile of the third version, the M51.3, to be launched at sea since it entered service in October 2025,” said ArianeGroup CEO Christophe Bruneau. “Heavily instrumented, this launch also paves the way for the future of the M51, carrying out major experiments to inform the development of the M51.4 version, work on which began in September 2025. I would like to commend and thank the ArianeGroup teams who have worked for nearly two years to meet the expectations of our client, the French DGA, in terms of quality, deadlines and performance.”
Commissioned in 2010, the M51 is the fifth generation of French ballistic missiles. This was the first launch of the M51.3 version of the missile from an SSBN after its entry into operational service in October 2025. Though nuclear-capable, the test was conducted without a nuclear warhead, primarily intended to validate the Le Vigilant’s capability and its crew to launch M51 strategic missiles under operational conditions. The M51.3 variant will gradually replace the M51.1 and M51.2 variants still in service, successfully completing its qualification test launch in November 2023.
Demonstrating the full operational readiness and performance of the M51 weapon system in support of France’s deterrent capability, this success is the result of intensive and meticulous preparation carried out over many months by ArianeGroup and its partners, under the project management of the DGA, in close collaboration with the Fleet Support Service (SSF) in Brest, and with the assistance of the French Navy.
A French release stated:“The firing of the M51.3 missile marks a significant milestone in maintaining the operational readiness of the oceanic component of France’s nuclear deterrent. In the presence of President Emmanuel Macron, this operation demonstrates the capabilities of French industrial and military stakeholders and France’s commitment to preserving its strategic capabilities in the face of evolving threats.”–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:LOCKHEED MARTIN)
