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Part of situation: France M51.3 ballistic missile test (3 clusters)

France tests M51.3 ballistic missile from nuclear submarine Le Vigilant

M51.3 missile nuclear deterrence Le Vigilant submarine French military modernization strategic ballistic missile

France successfully conducted the first test launch of its upgraded M51.3 strategic ballistic missile from the nuclear-powered submarine Le Vigilant on October 6, 2026. The operation, known as Operation SMERTRIOS, took place off the coast of Brittany near Finistère. The missile was launched without a nuclear warhead to certify the submarine’s operational readiness following an extensive maintenance and modernization period.

President Emmanuel Macron observed the launch from the multi-mission frigate Auvergne. He described the technical success as a reinforcement of the credibility of France’s strategic deterrence, stating, “To be free, you have to inspire fear. And to inspire fear, you have to be powerful.” The missile, which is expected to travel approximately 4,700 km during its flight, landed in the North Atlantic, hundreds of kilometers from any coastline.

The M51.3, which entered operational service in late 2025, features improved range, accuracy, and penetration capabilities to counter evolving anti-missile defenses. This demonstration of force occurs amid heightened geopolitical tensions in Europe and follows French commitments to modernize its nuclear arsenal and expand military coordination with European allies.

Entities

Brittany · Emmanuel Macron · France · French Ministry of Armed Forces · French Ministry of Defense · Le Vigilant · M51.3 · Ministry of the Armed Forces · North Atlantic

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

M51. 3 : le tir du Vigilant et la réponse française aux tensions en Europe [nigeractu.info]
Francia prueba por primera vez el misil balístico M51. 3 desde un submarino nuclear [www.delphosmagazine.com]
La France teste un nouveau missile nucléaire M51. 3 lancé depuis un sous-marin afin d'assurer sa dissuasion face à la Russie [fr.businessam.be]
France projects nuclear power as Macron pushes arsenal expansion [alethonews.com]
França realiza teste de míssil balístico e Macron envia sinal estratégico [saobentoemfoco.com.br]
Francia, Macron assiste a lancio di prova missile intercontinentale da sottomarino nucleare [www.vetrinatv.it]
Emmanuel Macron criticized over M51. 3 missile launch video [worldstockmarket.net]
🎥 Франција тестираше нова балистичка ракета, Макрон: „За да бидеме слободни, мора да влеваме страв“ [lokalno.mk]
France tests upgraded nuclear missile against backdrop of Russia tensions [srnnews.com]
VÍDEO: Em meio a tensões com a Rússia, França testa míssil com capacidade nuclear [www.estadao.com.br]
Frankrijk test nieuwe M51. 3-kernraket vanaf onderzeeër om afschrikking te waarborgen tegen Rusland [businessam.be]
Francia prueba misil intercontinental y profundiza la escalada belicista europea - teleSUR [www.telesurtv.net]
Frankreich testet erstmals neue Atomrakete von U-Boot aus [de.euronews.com]
France Test-Fires New Nuclear-Capable M51 Missile as Macron Watches From Navy Frigate [tdpelmedia.com]
Макрон тества нова ракета, способна да носи ядрена глава [petel.bg]
VIDEO | Franța a testat o nouă rachetă nucleară. Macron: „Pentru a fi liber, trebuie să fii de temut” [news.yam.md]
За първи път от три години! Франция изстреля ядрена балистична ракета M51 (ВИДЕО) [fakti.bg]
French Navy Conducts Acceptance Firing of M51. 3 missile From Le Vigilant SSBN - Naval News [www.navalnews.com]
Макрон гледа: Френска ядрена подводница изстреля балистична ракета (ВИДЕО) [www.actualno.com]
Francia, Macron assiste a lancio di prova missile intercontinentale da sottomarino nucleare [www.redazionenews.it]
Macron mostra i muscoli, testato missile intercontinentale: “Per essere liberi bisogna essere temuti” - Video [www.adnkronos.com]
Macron düğmeye bastı! Dünyaya korku salan mesaj [www.sondakika.com]
"Głośny i wyraźny" przekaz Macrona do Rosji po teście nowego pocisku balistycznego M51. 3 | Najnowsze wiadomości z kraju i ze świata - upday News [www.upday.com]
Franca teston raketën bërthamore M51. 3, në sfondin e tensioneve me Rusinë [telegrafi.com]
Francúzsko prvýkrát odpálilo z ponorky balistickú raketu M51. 3 schopnú niesť jadrové hlavice - SITA. sk [sita.sk]
Η Γαλλία πραγματοποίησε δοκιμαστική εκτόξευση αναβαθμισμένου πυρηνικού πυραύλου εν μέσω εντάσεων με τη Ρωσία [www.capital.gr]
M51. 3: Η Γαλλία εκτόξευσε για πρώτη φορά τη νέα έκδοση του πυρηνικού της πυραύλου, παρουσία Μακρόν [www.onalert.gr]
Défense. Pourquoi Macron a assisté ce mardi à un tir d'exercice d'un missile nucléaire [www.republicain-lorrain.fr]
Défense. Pourquoi Macron a assisté ce mardi à un tir d'exercice d'un missile nucléaire [www.bienpublic.com]
Dissuasion : Le sous-marin nucléaire lanceur d’engins Le Vigilant a tiré un missile stratégique M51. 3 avec succès - Zone Militaire [www.opex360.com]
Dissuasion nucléaire : la France va procéder à un tir de missile balistique M51 [www.generation-nt.com]
France's M51. 3 nuclear-capable missile makes first submarine launch [interestingengineering.com]
French submarine fires new nuclear weapon [ukdefencejournal.org.uk]
France tests upgraded nuclear missile against backdrop of Russia tensions [cyprus-mail.com]
Défense. Pourquoi Macron a assisté ce mardi à un tir d'exercice d'un missile nucléaire [www.leprogres.fr]
Emmanuel Macron dans le Finistère pour assister au tir de missile [Exclusif] [www.letelegramme.fr]