France prepares to test an M51.3 ballistic missile off the coast of Finistère

The last test firing of a ballistic missile in France dates back to November 2023, from Biscarrosse. France is preparing to carry out a new test of the M51.3 ballistic missile (without nuclear charge) “in the coming days”, this time off the coast of Finistère, Ouest France revealed on Sunday.

“This shot will be carried out at sea from the SNLE – nuclear missile submarine – Le Vigilant”, details Etienne Marcuz, analysis on strategic armaments, to 20 Minutes. “It will take place off the coast of the Glénan islands, at a distance of 4,700 km, which is not the maximum range of the missile,” he adds.

“Totally unrelated to international news”

Every ten years, SSBNs go through an Iper (Periodic Unavailability for Maintenance and Repair) phase, with the aim of ensuring their longevity. The Iper of the SNLE Le Vigilant began in the fall of 2023 on the operational base of Île Longue, with the removal of weapons and fuel elements from the nuclear boiler room, before returning to sea about a year ago. “Each nuclear submarine, at the end of its Iper and a sea trial phase to requalify all systems, must carry out an M51 firing to validate its return to the operational cycle,” continues Etienne Marcuz. This is why this shot “is part of a multi-year program”, and why it is “totally unrelated to international news. »

The previous shot therefore took place in 2023, the one before that in 2020, and the one before that again in 2016. “We therefore have a shot every three, four years… Everything that is linked to deterrence is ultra-paced” underlines the expert.

Ouest France specifies that a navigation notice was published last Friday, identifying a shooting zone southwest of Penmarc’h. Navigation is therefore prohibited from this Monday, and until Wednesday October 21, depending on the progress of operations. The shooting should therefore be carried out there during this period, between 2 a.m. and 1 p.m.