Paris: Amid growing concerns over Russian aggression in Europe, France has for the first time publicly showcased its nuclear-capable supersonic cruise missile, the ASMPA-R, mounted on the Rafale M fighter jet. The demonstration, conducted by the French Naval Nuclear Aviation Force, was part of Operation Diomede, simulating a nuclear strike without loading an actual warhead.
According to the French Defense Ministry, the ASMPA-R missile was officially inducted into the Naval Nuclear Aviation Force on November 10, 2025. Though operational since 2023 within the strategic air forces, this public display marks its first visual confirmation on the Rafale M platform, which both the French Air Force and Navy employ for missile launches.
Enhanced Range and Speed
The ASMPA-R boasts a range of 600 km and can reach speeds up to Mach 3, enabling France to strike targets effectively while keeping its Rafale jets outside enemy defense ranges. Experts highlight that the combination of supersonic speed and extended range significantly strengthens France’s deterrence capability.
Strengthening Nuclear Modernization
Developed since 2010, the ASMPA-R is part of France’s broader nuclear modernization and strategic resilience program. In addition, France has recently inducted the M51.3 submarine-launched nuclear missile, deployed on its Triomphant-class nuclear submarines, further reinforcing its nuclear triad.
France’s sole nuclear aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is NATO’s only non-US warship capable of carrying nuclear weapons. While it rarely undertakes routine patrols, these advanced missile systems demonstrate France’s readiness to provide a “nuclear umbrella” for European allies at a time when Russian threats, including hypersonic missile deployments, continue to escalate across the continent.
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