Story perspectives

France’s Le Vigilant Conducts First M51.3 Underwater Launch

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 7:59 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Le Vigilant fired an unarmed M51.3 ballistic missile on 6 October 2026, marking the first underwater launch of this variant.
President Emmanuel Macron observed the test from the FREMM-class frigate Auvergne.
Minister Catherine Vautrin said the firing re-qualified Le Vigilant after a three-year overhaul.
The missile traveled over the North Atlantic, impacting several hundred kilometres from any coastline.
Independent estimates place the M51.3’s range above 5,900 miles, exceeding the earlier M51’s 5,600 miles.

History

Historical Context

In 1996 France chose a naval deployment, beginning M45 tests from early Le Triomphant-class submarines. The Le Triomphant-class SNLE-NG, commissioned 1997-2010, replaced those boats and was retrofitted to the M51, which entered service in 2010 and reached operational status with the M51.3 variant in late 2025. The October 2026 Atlantic launch of Le Vigilant’s M51.3, observed by President Emmanuel Macron, extends range to 9,500 km, beyond the 6,000-km M45 capability.

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Story summary

Le Vigilant fired an unarmed M51.3 ballistic missile on 6 October 2026, marking the first underwater launch of this variant.
President Emmanuel Macron observed the test from the FREMM-class frigate Auvergne.
Minister Catherine Vautrin said the firing re-qualified Le Vigilant after a three-year overhaul.
The missile traveled over the North Atlantic, impacting several hundred kilometres from any coastline.
Independent estimates place the M51.3’s range above 5,900 miles, exceeding the earlier M51’s 5,600 miles.

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