In response to Russia's nuclear threats: France tests new ASMPA-R nuclear missile

French Defence Minister Sébastien Le Coronneu said that on Wednesday, 22 May, France conducted the first test of the updated ASMPA-R nuclear missile, which was launched from a Rafale fighter jet.

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The ASMPA-R missile was fired from an aircraft without a warhead during exercises "over national territory". In a separate post on X, the minister congratulated "all the forces, ministry teams and industrial partners involved" in the long-planned operation.

It is worth noting that France conducted the nuclear missile test only a day after Russia launched nuclear exercises in its Southern Military District, which borders Ukraine.

In the coming years, France plans to spend about 13 per cent of its military budget on developing its nuclear capabilities, including the modernisation of the next generation of air-launched missiles by 2035.

Source: Sébastien Lecornu