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

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

M51.3 ballistic missile nuclear deterrence Le Vigilant submarine French Navy strategic weapon test

France successfully conducted the first submarine-launched test of its new M51.3 ballistic missile on October 6, 2026. The missile was launched from the nuclear-powered submarine Le Vigilant off the coast of Brittany as part of Operation SMERTRIOS. The test served as an acceptance firing to validate the submarine's strategic weapon system following a major maintenance period.

The M51.3 is the third iteration of the M51 missile, featuring improved range, precision, and anti-missile penetration capabilities. The missile was launched without a nuclear warhead and landed in the North Atlantic, hundreds of kilometers from any coastline. President Emmanuel Macron, who observed the launch from the frigate Auvergne, described the event as a demonstration of the credibility and long-term viability of France's nuclear deterrence.

The test occurred amid heightened geopolitical tensions. While the French Ministry of Armed Forces emphasized compliance with international obligations, the Kremlin criticized the move, stating that Europe is building its security identity on confrontation with Russia. France is also currently developing a program for new hypersonic and maneuvering strategic missiles for its airborne deterrence component.

Entities

ArianeGroup · DGA · Directorate General of Armaments · Emmanuel Macron · France · French Navy · Le Vigilant · M51.3 · Russia

Claims

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

Sources

Le missile M51. 3 réussit son premier tir d’acceptation depuis le SNLE Le Vigilant. [theatrum-belli.com]
Ο Μακρόν παρακολούθησε την πρώτη εκτόξευση του M51. 3 από υποβρύχιο - «Το μήνυμα εστάλη», είπε [defenceredefined.com.cy]
Η Γαλλία εκτόξευσε τον νέο πυρηνικό της πύραυλο - «Το μήνυμα εστάλη» (βίντεο) [cretaone.gr]
Macron Pamer Rudal Pembawa Nuklir, Eropa Bersiap Menghadapi Rusia? - Republika Online [news.republika.co.id]
AvioBlog - France’s new M51. 3 nuclear missile makes first submarine launch [avioblog.it]
França testa míssil nuclear modernizado em meio a tensões com a Rússia | CNN Brasil [www.cnnbrasil.com.br]
Russia says France's submarine missile launch signals confrontation [www.bairdmaritime.com]
Francúzsko úspešne odpálilo strategickú raketu M51. 3 z jadrovej ponorky. Test ukázal pripravenosť systému [vosveteit.zoznam.sk]
France Test-Fires New Nuclear Missile as Europe Abandons Its Peace Dividend [tfiglobalnews.com]
França lança míssil balístico estratégico M51. 3 do submarino nuclear Le Vigilant - Poder Naval [www.naval.com.br]
RayHaber - Fransa Yeni Nesil M51. 3 Balistik Füzesini İlk Kez Test Etti [rayhaber.com]
„Wer frei sein will, muss gefürchtet werden“: Frankreich testet neue Atomrakete und schickt Warnung an Putin [www.leinetal24.de]
„Wer frei sein will, muss gefürchtet werden“: Frankreich testet neue Atomrakete und schickt Warnung an Putin [www.fehmarn24.de]
'Per essere liberi bisogna essere temuti': Macron celebra il test del nuovo missile francese [www.hwupgrade.it]
法国试射潜射洲际导弹，马克龙称向对手传递威慑信号 [sputniknews.cn]
Francia dispara el misil M51. 3 desde el submarino Le Vigilant y blinda su disuasión nuclear [www.moncloa.com]
Francia prueba misil balístico M51. 3 desde submarino en medio de tensiones con Rusia [www.elbuentono.com.mx]
Kremlinul ameninţă, după ce Franţa a testat racheta balistică M51. 3. Peskov: „Luăm măsurile necesare” [news.yam.md]
Après l'essai français du missile nucléaire M51. 3, Moscou dénonce la « militarisation » de l'Union européenne [www.epochtimes.fr]
Prancis Tembakkan Rudal Berkemampuan Nuklir, Rusia Siaga [international.sindonews.com]
Francuzi jak nigdy pokazali test arsenału jądrowego. "Aby być wolnym, trzeba budzić strach" [wiadomosci.gazeta.pl]
Il test missilistico di Macron guarda a Est e a Ovest. Ecco perché interessa tutti [formiche.net]
Kremlinul reacționează după testul nuclear al Franței. Avertismentul transmis de Moscova: „Un drum fără ieșire” [www.aktual24.ro]
Kremlinul reacționează după testul nuclear al Franței: Un drum fără ieșire [www.mediafax.ro]
„Wer frei sein will, muss gefürchtet werden“: Frankreich testet neue Atomrakete und schickt Warnung an Putin [www.mannheim24.de]
„Wer frei sein will, muss gefürchtet werden“: Frankreich testet neue Atomrakete und schickt Warnung an Putin [www.hna.de]
Uji Coba Rudal Balistik SLBM M51. 3 Perancis: Macron Tinjau Kekuatan Nuklir di Tengah Gelombang Protes Dalam Negeri - Indomiliter - Support Our Troops [indomiliter.com]
Macron ostrzega przeciwników, gdy Francja testuje nowy okrętowy pocisk nuklearny M51. 3 | Najnowsze wiadomości z kraju i ze świata - upday News [www.upday.com]
A French SLBM test in the Atlantic [sattrackcam.blogspot.com]
Kremlinul acuză UE de „militarizare” după testul rachetei nucleare M51. 3 a Franței [www.realitatea.net]