France tests M51.3 missile from submarine for the first time — France 24

On Tuesday, France tested the M51.3 ballistic missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, for the first time from the Le Vigilant nuclear submarine off the coast of Brittany. The missile was not carrying a warhead, France 24 reported, citing the French Ministry of Defense.

M51.3 launch

The M51.3 is a new modification of the French M51 missile. According to the defense ministry, this was the first launch of this version of the missile from a nuclear submarine. The launch was carried out from Le Vigilant in the sea near Brittany.

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Macron’s observation

The Ministry of Defense said that the missile reached its impact area in the North Atlantic, hundreds of kilometers from any coastline. French President Emmanuel Macron observed the launch from a French military ship, an official told AFP.

The Élysée Palace and the French Ministry of Defense also confirmed that Macron was present during the test launch of the new missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The statements stressed that the missile did not carry a warhead during the test.