France Introduces Nuclear Missile M51.3 into Service with Its Strategic Submarines

The French Ministry of Armed Forces, in collaboration with the "Arian" group, announced the official launch of the third version of the nuclear ballistic missile "M51", which is launched from submarines, in a move considered pivotal in a modernization process that has lasted more than 12 years.

The new missile, equipped with TNO-2 nuclear warheads, features enhanced capabilities including a longer range, higher accuracy, and greater penetration ability, which boosts the effectiveness of French naval nuclear deterrence. It will be deployed on four French nuclear submarines, with at least one remaining deep in the ocean to ensure retaliatory capability even in the event of a surprise attack on the country.

This step is part of an ongoing strategy to modernize the French nuclear arsenal, as the development process for the next generation of missiles under the name "M51.4" has already begun, which will be equipped with more advanced features and is expected to equip the third-generation SNLE-3G submarines in the future.

In the global context, data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies shows that the United States has the largest fleet of nuclear submarines (66 submarines), followed by Russia (30), then China, the United Kingdom, and France, which has 9 submarines, while other countries like Australia and Brazil have started their own projects in this field.

Nuclear submarines are considered one of the most effective deterrent tools, thanks to their ability to remain underwater for long periods without the need for refueling, their high speed, and their difficulty to detect. They are used in various missions including attack, deterrence, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering, in addition to carrying out special operations in environments that are difficult to access by conventional means.