France on Tuesday fired for the first time its new M51.3 nuclear-capable ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine. The missile, a variant of France's M51 missile and not carrying a warhead, was fired from the Le Vigilant submarine off Brittany and impacted in the North Atlantic, hundreds of kilometres from any coastline, according to the defence ministry. President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the firing aboard the French warship Auvergne and posted a video on X showing the missile launching. Macron said the technical success further demonstrates the credibility of France's nuclear deterrent.
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.
