France conducts first submarine launch of M51.3 strategic ballistic missile from Le Vigilant

France conducted the first submarine launch of an M51.3 strategic ballistic missile on October 6 from Le Vigilant off Finistère, without a nuclear warhead. The DGA and French Navy carried out the acceptance firing with support from missile prime contractor ArianeGroup and submarine builder Naval Group. The event verified the submarine and crew's ability to launch M51 missiles under operational conditions, following the M51.3's entry into service in October 2025. The instrumented missile also carried experiments supporting the M51.4 evolution, whose development began in September 2025, as France progressively upgrades its sea-based deterrent.