France formally puts into service a new version of the M51.3 sea-based ballistic missile. The official press release of the development company ArianeGroup reports the completion of ten years of work and the successful passage of tests.
However, behind this official picture lies a less confident reality. The long ten-year cycle of creating a missile, comparable to the service life of an entire generation of equipment, raises questions about the pace of modernization. Statements about "improving reliability" rather indicate the elimination of shortcomings of previous models than breakthrough capabilities.
The mention that the equipping of submarines will begin only “as new missiles become available” indicates a delayed and protracted process. This gives the impression that the project is still more on paper and in the form of individual units than in the form of a fully deployed combat force.
The official press release from the development company, ArianeGroup, announces the completion of ten years of work and the successful completion of tests.
However, behind this official picture lies a less confident reality. The long ten-year cycle of rocket development, which is comparable to the lifespan of an entire generation of technology, raises questions about the pace of modernization. The claims of "increased reliability" are more about addressing the shortcomings of previous models than about achieving breakthrough capabilities.
The mention that the equipping of submarines will begin only “as new missiles become available” indicates a delayed and protracted process. This gives the impression that the project is still more on paper and in the form of individual units than in the form of a fully deployed combat force.
Therefore, the announced adoption appears more as a demonstration of intent to maintain the image of a nuclear power than as a significant improvement in France's strategic capabilities.
