France successfully tested modernized nuclear carrier
Sébastien Lecornu (photo: Getty Images)
French military successfully tested the ASMPA-R medium-range air-to-ground missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, announces French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
According to him, the tests were conducted as part of the Durandal military exercises, taking place from May 13 to June 14.
As Lecornu noted, the missile test launch demonstrated the reliability of France's nuclear deterrent potential.
"Operation Durandal: a strategic air force Rafale aircraft has just successfully carried out the first test launch of the upgraded supersonic ASMPA nuclear missile without onboard payload," Lecornu wrote.
It is reported that the tests were conducted under the supervision of the military at bases in Biscarrosse, Urtene, and Camper on the western coast of France.
"The ASMPA upgrade program has allowed to enhance the missile's internal characteristics while maintaining confidence in the onboard nuclear component in the face of new threats posed by the emergence of future 4th-generation air-to-ground nuclear missiles," the French Ministry of Defense said.
Nuclear reinforcement of states
Russian President Vladimir Putin has increasingly begun to make statements regarding Russia's nuclear potential. This has forced Western countries to react to them.
In particular, the US has announced the expansion of production of the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US - the precision-guided GBU-57 bomb.
President of Poland Andrzej Duda has stated readiness to host nuclear weapons in Poland. This idea was supported by the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda.
