France
Nuclear Forces, 2003
- French Nuclear Forces, 2001 (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists)
| Launcher Type/ Designation | Launchers/SSBNs |
First Deployed | Range (km) | Warheads x yield (kt) | Deployable Warheads |
|
SLBMs |
|||||
|
Redoubtable- class SSBN/ |
16/1 |
1985 |
6,000 |
6 x 150kt |
96 |
|
Triomphant-class SSBN/ |
32/2 |
1996 |
6,000 |
6 x 100 kt |
192 |
| Sub-Total, Ballistic Missiles | 48/3 | 288 | |||
|
AIRCRAFT |
|||||
| Super Etendard/ ASMP |
24 |
1978 |
650 |
1 x 300 kt ASMP |
10 |
| Mirage 2000N/ ASMP |
60 |
1988 |
2,750 |
1 x 300 kt ASMP |
50 |
| Total | 84 | 60 | |||
| Total, Strategic Nuclear Forces | 132 |
|
348 |
||
Sources:
"Global nuclear stockpiles, 1945–2002," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, November/December 2002
"French Nuclear Forces, 2001,"Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, July/August 2001
---. "French and British Nuclear Forces, 2000," Nuclear Notebook, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, September/October 2000.
Barrie, Douglas. "France Continues Upgrade of Air-Launched Nuclear Missile," Defense News, October 5-11, 1998, p. 16.
"Second Triomphant-class Enters Service," Jane's Defence Weekly, January 19, 2000.
Additional Resources
- "Global
nuclear stockpiles, 1945–2002," Bulletin of
the Atomic Scientists)
- French
Nuclear Forces, 2001 (Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists)
- French
and British Nuclear Forces, 2000 (Bulletin
of the Atomic Scientists)
- French
Nuclear Forces, 1999 (Bulletin
of the Atomic Scientists)
In January 2000, France's second Triomphant-class SSBN officially entered service, equipped with 16 M45 SLBMs carrying 6 nuclear warheads each. A third Triomphant class submarine, Le Vigilant, will likely be commissioned in the summer of 2004. France has plans to build and deploy a fourth Triomphant submarine by 2008, and is currently testing a new missile, the M51, to replace the M45 that same year.
In early October 1999, France announced the continuation of the development program for the ASMP-A (Air-Sol Moyenne Portee-Ameliore) nuclear air-launched cruise missile program, which promises to double the range of the ASMP from 250km to 500km. The ASMP-A will also be armed with a new nuclear warhead to be developed by simulation in Frances' Atomic Energy Commission laboratories. The ASMP cruise missile, equipped with a TN 81 warhead, remains in service.
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