France Has Put An Upgraded M51.3 Nuclear Missile On Alert

It is designed for Le Triomphant type nuclear submarines.

The French Armed Forces Ministry has officially announced the commissioning of a new M51.3 intercontinental ballistic missile designed for Le Triomphant nuclear submarines.

According to the ministry, the M51.3 is the third modernization of the M51 family of missiles, the backbone of France's naval nuclear shield. It received improved characteristics: longer range, higher accuracy and increased ability to overcome missile defense systems. The missile is equipped with a new TNO-2 oceanic warhead developed under the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) program.

Testing of M51 missiles has been ongoing since 2006. The first launch of the M51.3 version took place on November 18, 2023 from a ground stand, and all subsequent tests in 2020-2023 have been deemed successful.

In September 2025, the DGA procurement agency signed a contract with ArianeGroup to develop the next modification, the M51.4, which should further improve the missile's range, accuracy and survivability in overcoming missile defense.

"The introduction of the M51.3 and TNO-2 completes the multi-year modernization programs of the French maritime strategic forces and lays the groundwork for further upgrades with the M51.4 in the coming years," the French Defense Ministry stressed.

The M51 is a three-stage solid-fuel underwater missile that replaced the M45 in 2010. It is launched from submarine silos, has an inertial-astronomical guidance system and is equipped with missile defense countermeasures.

The missile family includes the basic M51.1 with TN-75 warheads, the M51.2 with a TNO warhead, and now the M51.3, which, after a full test cycle, is officially in service on October 24, 2025.

The French Navy maintains 48 ballistic missiles for three operational submarines, adhering to the doctrine of "deterrence of the necessary minimum." The transition to the M51.3 and subsequent M51.4 will ensure the relevance of the maritime component of the French nuclear deterrent throughout the 2030s.

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