The climbing of international tension continues. NATO general secretary Mark Rutte announced last Friday the start -up of a new initiative to Strengthen surveillance measures and defense systems on the eastern flank of the Alliancein Poland’s airspace.
In this context, France develops a new version of. This weapon, Transported in nuclear submarineshas become “fundamental for French nuclear deterrence”, as reported by the media . The French Armament Agency (DGA) announced the award of the development of the fourth version of that highly strategic missile to Arianegroup.
This missile, in service since 2010 in the Strategic Oceanic Force (FOST), Equipa French Balistic missile submarines of nuclear propulsion (SNLE) and guarantees part of the French nuclear deterrence. Thus, the future M51.4 will be integrated into the current SSBN of the Le Tiomphant type, as well as the future third generation SSBN, which Naval Group began to build in 2024.
“The greatest performance of M51.4, especially in terms of scope, precision and ability to penetrate enemy defenses, It will help maintain the credibility of oceanic deterrence Given the evolution of threats, “said the Ministry of the Armed Forces in a press release. In his latest message as Minister of the Armed Forces, the current new prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, recalled the importance of the capacity of nuclear deterrence,” the cornerstone of our defense tool. “
“I want to thank the crew and all those who work with determination in the most strategic mission: deter, to protect the vital interests of France. We know what we owe them,” Lecornu said in their X profile by confirming the progress in the project.
This missile Weighs more than 50 tons and measures between 12 and 13 meters high. According to the main contractor of the program, it is a “multimedia” weapon. This is launched from a submarine, that is, under water, and crosses the atmosphere before reaching the space, at an altitude of more than 2,000 kilometers. During its resentment in the atmosphere, before impacting an objective, it reaches a speed of 20,000 km/h, they reported.
