Macron witnesses French M51.3 missile test from submarine off Finistère

French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed a test launch of an M51.3 strategic ballistic missile from the nuclear submarine Le Vigilant off the coast of Finistère on Tuesday, October 6. The missile carried no nuclear warhead, with its impact zone located in the North Atlantic. The unannounced event, absent from the president's official agenda, was conducted to demonstrate the credibility of France's nuclear deterrence. Macron stated on X that "very few nations possess such expertise" and called the test "a new demonstration of the credibility of our deterrence." The operation occurs amid heightened tensions, notably the threat Russia poses to several European countries. The test underscores France's commitment to maintaining its independent nuclear capability as a cornerstone of its national security strategy.