The unarmed missile was launched on Oct 6 from the submarine Le Vigilant off the coast of Brittany, traveling roughly 4,700 km into the North Atlantic. The trial served as a certification of the vessel's readiness after 3 years of maintenance and returned it to the operational cycle. President Emmanuel Macron observed the launch from the frigate Auvergne, declaring the technical success a demonstration of the credibility of the nation's nuclear deterrent.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Kremlin Denounces France M51.3 Missile Test as Dead End Strategy
Geopolitics14 days ago
Russia has characterized the inaugural firing of a nuclear-capable submarine missile as part of a militarization effort that leads to a strategic impasse. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Oct 7 stated that the trial of France's M51.3 weapon shows Europe is building its defense identity on confrontation, though he added that Moscow remains open to dialogue while watching the situation closely.
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