France said it had successfully tested without a nuclear load the M51.3 strategic ballistic missile on Saturday.
The French defense ministry said the launch took place from a site in the Landes region in southwestern France.
The missile was tracked throughout its flight phase and the fallout area was located in the North Atlantic, several hundred kilometers from any coast, the ministry added in a statement.
“First successful test firing of an M51.3 strategic ballistic missile!” Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“This development confirms the credibility of our nuclear deterrent and demonstrates the excellence of our launch sector,” he said.
[#Dissuasion] Tir d’essai réussi pour le missile #M51
La DGA a coordonné et de conduit avec succès un tir d’essai de missile M51 sans charge militaire depuis son site de Biscarrosse.
Il s’agissait du 1er tir d’un missile #M51 en version M51.3.#NotreDéfense @Armees_Gouv pic.twitter.com/pqZy2LJLxD
— Direction générale de l'armement (@DGA) November 18, 2023
