France conducts first submarine launch of M51.3 ballistic missile

France carried out the first submarine launch of its upgraded M51.3 strategic ballistic missile from the nuclear-powered submarine Le Vigilant off its western coast. The unarmed missile flew toward the North Atlantic; estimates put its range above 5,900 miles and reentry speed at about Mach 20.

• The launch followed major maintenance work on the submarine Le Vigilant
• Estimated M51.3 range exceeds 5,900 miles, up from 5,600 miles for the earlier version
• The missile climbs beyond 1,240 miles and reenters at roughly Mach 20
• M51.3 entered operational service in 2025; the next upgrade is M51.4