French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported on the X network about the successful test of the ASMPA-R missile capable of carrying a nuclear charge. The launch was carried out from a Rafale fighter during exercises over the territory of France, simulating a nuclear airstrike.
“ASMPA’s upgrade program, led by DGA, has strengthened the missile’s internal performance, maintaining the reliability of the on-board nuclear component in the face of new threats to the future 4th-generation nuclear air-to-surface missile”, the message says.
The minister noted that the exercise was planned in advance and took place the day after Russia announced the start of exercises with tactical nuclear weapons in the Southern Military District.
The purpose of the test was to demonstrate the capabilities of the aviation component of France’s nuclear deterrent force. The country plans to increase spending on the development of nuclear forces to 13% of the military budget.
The test comes amid repeated Russian threats to use nuclear weapons against the West since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
We will remind that Russia conducted nuclear exercises the other day.
