A French SLBM test in the Atlantic

Click map to enlarge (note: M53.1 should read: M51.3)

 

In the morning of 6 October 2026, France conducted a test-launch of its Nuclear-capable M51.3 SLBM in the Atlantic. The missile was launched from the submarine Le Vigilant in front of the southern coast of Bretagne, and targetted an area 665 km east of Bermuda, giving the test a range of ~4735 km.

The test launch was watched by French President Macron from the French Fregat Auvergne. In a post on twitter and press statements quoted in the French press, the French Government/Macron used the opportunity to make a clear statement about independent European Nuclear deterrence: 

"Ce succès technique est une nouvelle démonstration de la crédibilité de notre dissuasion, dont la pérennité est assurée" 

("This technical success is further proof of the credibility of our deterrence, the long-term viability of which is assured")

...and:

 "Pour être libre, il faut être craint. Et pour être craint, il faut être puissant" 

("To be free, one must be feared. And to be feared, one must be powerful")

Footage of the test launch is in this twitter post by President Macron. 

The map above (note: "M53.1" should read: "M51.3") shows the trajectory for this test as I have reconstructed it from Navigational Warnings HYDROLANT 1944/26 and NAVAREA IV 949/26, which define six hazard areas in the Atlantic:

301657Z SEP 26
HYDROLANT 1944/26
BAY OF BISCAY.
CELTIC SEA.
NORTH ATLANTIC.
FRANCE.
1. MISSILE OPERATIONS 0001Z TO 1100Z DAILY
   04 THRU 21 OCT IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 46-16.38N 023-35.45W, 46-59.73N 019-44.15W,
      45-07.98N 019-44.15W, 44-26.03N 022-49.63W.
   B. 47-44.70N 005-23.50W, 47-48.72N 004-31.00W,
      47-39.00N 004-01.00W, 47-21.72N 004-09.58W,
      47-16.47N 005-17.68W.
   C. 47-24.10N 009-51.67W, 47-31.00N 008-28.28W,
      47-08.48N 008-24.55W, 47-01.62N 009-47.35W.   
   D. 47-31.00N 008-28.28W, 47-44.70N 005-23.50W,
      47-16.47N 005-17.68W, 47-08.48N 008-24.55W.
   E. 42-58.33N 034-54.68W, 43-46.17N 032-20.02W,
      42-49.37N 031-48.72W, 42-02.25N 034-21.48W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 211200Z OCT 26.


301017Z SEP 26
NAVAREA IV 949/26
NORTH ATLANTIC.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 0001Z TO 1100Z 
   DAILY 04 THRU 21 OCT IN AREA WITHIN 
   71 MILES OF 32-25.00N 057-21.00W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 220100Z OCT 26.

The M51.3 is the latest version of France's three-staged M51 missile, which can carry six independently aimable warheads. The stages of the missile are solid fuel stages directly derived from the Ariane 5 solid fuel boosters.

This was the first M51.3 launch from a submerged submarine: a previous M51.3 test was launched from land in 2023 (see this earlier blogpost). 

Area's C, A, and E are the splashdown zones of the first, second and 3rd stage. Area B is the launch area. The circular area 665 km east of Bermuda is the impact area of the six dummy warheads and the post-boost vehicle.