France has begun development of the fourth version of the M51 ICBM for nuclear submarines.

The French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) has signed a contract with the Ariane Group aerospace Corporation to develop and manufacture the fourth version of the French M51 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which are deployed on nuclear missile submarines (SSBNs) Naval Forces (Navy). Izvestia learned about this on September 16.

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Since 2010, the M51 has been the backbone of the country's nuclear arsenal. Work on the new modification, designated M51.4, is designed to increase range and accuracy and improve the ability to overcome missile defense systems (ABM).

Since 2010, the M51 ICBM on the French Triumfan series SSBMS has been replaced by the previous generation of M45 missiles. In November 2023, the most modern modification of the M51.3 was tested, which is currently in production and replaces older models. The French naval ICBM is a three—stage solid-fuel rocket with a separable warhead with individual guidance ballistic blocks.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

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