1 photo

Strategic missiles

France

ArianeGroup

M51

French submarine-launched ballistic missile carried by Triomphant-class SSBNs, the improved M51.3 variant entered service in 2025.

In service since 2010

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-03

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

French export-licensed

CIEEMG inter-ministerial approval; broadly export-oriented.

Channel: DGA / direct commercial

Fielded & proven

Operator data not public

In service since 2010. Status: active.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Overview

The M51 is the backbone of France's independent nuclear deterrent, launched from Triomphant-class ballistic-missile submarines.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Performance specifications
Max speed (Mach) Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters.	25 Mach Stronger than 75% of its class
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.	10,000 km Stronger than 33% of its class

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Firepower specifications
Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable.	6-10 MIRV (TN 75 / TNO)
Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire.	Astro-inertial guidance

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Physical specifications
Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.	12 m
Width Overall width, matters for rail/road transport of vehicles.	2.3 m
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.	52,000 kg

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Propulsion specifications
Engine Powerplant model and type.	Three-stage solid-fuel rocket (ammonium perchlorate composite propellant)
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…	3-stage solid

Specifications compiled from public ArianeGroup and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-03.

Compare with rivals