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.

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.

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 31% of its class

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable.: 6-10 MIRV (TN 75 / TNO)

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

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.

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