France has launched the production of a new M51.4 nuclear missile — further, more precisely, invulnerable

What's new in M51.4 — Range, accuracy, Deception PRO

France has officially launched mass production of the upgraded M51.4 strategic missile. This is not just an upgrade, it is the next step in the development of its independent nuclear deterrent. The missile was created by ArianeGroup and is designed to arm future third—generation nuclear submarines, the SNLE-3G.

The main improvements are increased range, increased accuracy of hitting and advanced means of overcoming missile defense systems (ABM). It is expected that the M51.4 will be able to fly confidently beyond 9,000 km and at the same time accurately hit targets, even if modern radars and interceptors are deployed around them.

ArianeGroup and €7.5 billion for strategic deterrence

The development and production of the M51.4 is part of a large—scale program estimated at 7.5 billion euros. All engineering work is carried out by ArianeGroup, a key player in the French space and defense industries. This is not only a matter of technology, but also of sovereignty: France does everything on its own, without dependence on other countries.

Such investments show that the nuclear shield remains an absolute priority for Paris.

For new third generation submarines

The M51.4 will be in service with the new SNLE-3G submarines, which will replace the current Le Triomphant-class fleet. These boats will become quieter, more autonomous and more technologically advanced. And together with the M51.4, they will provide France with the opportunity to keep warheads in the ocean — always ready, always invulnerable.

A submarine with such missiles can spend years on covert patrol, remaining the main trump card in strategic calculations.

Why France is not lagging behind in the nuclear technology race

While other countries are also modernizing their arsenals, France is consistently following its own path. The M51.4 is not a response to a specific threat, but part of a long—term strategy: to be able to inflict "unacceptable damage" on any aggressor, wherever it may be.

It's not about the war. It's about not having a war.

Sources

1. Building-Tech.org — M51.4 ICBM: >11 000 km range, high accuracy, ABM-evasion, SNLE-3G fit, €-billion programme
2. UNIAN.net — France launches M51.4 development, €7.5 bn cost, longer range & improved ABM penetration
3. Armiya.az — M51.3/4 roadmap, MIRV payload and technical specs
4. Integral-Russia.ru — Evolution of French nuclear doctrine and M51 warhead options
5. Flot.com — Production start date for M51.4 announced
6. Overclockers.ru — M51.4 development overview and future prospects
7. ProGuns.ru — Details on the new French intercontinental ballistic missile M51.4
8. Interfax — Official: new-generation SLBMs to arm SSBNs starting late 2025

Saudi Arabia deploys THAAD missile defense shield with American training

The Saudis are finally launching their first THAAD battery. For those who are not in the subject, this is a mobile missile defense system that is capable of shooting down enemy missiles at high altitude even in the upper atmosphere.

The crews were trained in the USA, which means that everything is serious and top notch. THAAD is able to destroy ballistic missiles, accelerating to almost 3 kilometers per second, and hits the target with a direct hit, without explosives — pure kinetics. It's like hitting a nail with a hammer, without too much trouble.

The system is tightly connected to the powerful AN/TPY-2 radar station, which sees a target for hundreds of kilometers and tells the launchers: "We give the target — hit!". The complex itself is fully mobile — if necessary, it will be quickly transferred to another location. And he is not alone in the defensive chain — other systems work with him, for example, Patriot, creating a multi-level shield.

The deployment of THAAD in Saudi Arabia is a clear challenge amid rising tensions in the Persian Gulf. This is their attempt to defend themselves to the maximum and show that they cannot be taken so easily.

Important things about THAAD

- The speed of the interceptor missile is about 2,800 m/s (almost 3 km/s)  

- Interception altitude — up to 150 km  

- Range — up to 200 km  

- The principle of operation is a direct physical hit (hit-to-kill) without explosion  

- Mobile complex: six launchers with eight missiles each  

- AN/TPY-2 radar — an eye for hundreds of kilometers, sees even small objects  

- The crews are trained in the USA, ready for battle

So Saudi Arabia now has powerful defenses capable of literally shooting down enemy missiles while still in the sky, rather than waiting for them to land. This is a serious step towards security, especially when there is such a hot region around.

Northrop Grumman successfully tested an air-launched ballistic missile for the US missile defense system

 

The American company Northrop Grumman conducted a successful test of a ballistic target missile dropped from a C-17 transport aircraft. This test was an important milestone in the development of US missile defense capabilities, demonstrating the effectiveness of air launch to simulate modern threats.

The target missile is a new class of high-precision ballistic threat emulators designed for comprehensive testing of integrated missile defense systems. Advanced technologies were used during the test, including:

- Modern avionics for flight control  

- Modular vehicle upgrade kits  

- Solid-fuel rocket engines  

- Special payloads simulating real combat elements

The air launch test allows for a more realistic simulation of ballistic missile attacks, improving the quality of verification and improvement of missile defense systems. Using a C-17 transport aircraft to drop a target provides flexibility and responsiveness in conducting tests under various conditions.

The development and improvement of missile defense systems remains a priority for the U.S. Department of Defense in the face of growing threats from potential adversaries. Northrop Grumman tests contribute to improving the reliability and efficiency of systems, ensuring the protection of national security.

The United States used the Aegis naval missile defense system for the first time against Iran's missiles

On the night of Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the American Aegis missile defense system installed on a ship off the coast of Israel was used in combat for the first time. The system was used to intercept missiles fired by Iran at Israeli territory. This event marked an important milestone in the history of the use of naval missile defense systems and highlighted the growing role of the navy in ensuring regional security.

According to sources, a US Navy ship equipped with Aegis radar and located in the waters near the Israeli coast was involved in repelling a massive missile strike. During the operation, the system detected and escorted several ballistic targets, after which an attempt was made to intercept them. Although the exact results of the operation have not yet been disclosed, experts note the strategic importance of such an application of the system.

Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System — one of the most advanced in the world. Installed on U.S. Navy destroyers and cruisers, it is designed to detect, track, and destroy ballistic missiles at various stages of flight. Its mobility and integration with other missile defense systems make it a key element of the US global missile defense.

This first combat use of Aegis highlights the increased tension in the region and demonstrates the willingness of the United States to participate directly in the confrontation between Israel and Iran. At the same time, it raises questions about the further escalation of the conflict and the possible response from Tehran and its allies.

The event is also becoming an important test for future technologies, both in terms of the effectiveness of intercepting hypersonic and ballistic targets, and in the context of coordination between various air and missile defense systems. It is expected that the data from this incident will be thoroughly analyzed to improve tactics and techniques in real combat.

Raytheon supplied upgraded AN/TPY-2 radar for missile defense system: protection against hypersonic strike

AN/TPY-2 radar

Raytheon Technologies has announced the first delivery of an upgraded AN/TPY-2 radar to the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA). This radar is a key element of the missile defense system and is designed to detect, track and track ballistic and advanced hypersonic targets at a considerable distance.

A special feature of the new radar variant is the use of gallium nitride (GaN) — a modern semiconductor material that provides significantly greater power and range compared to previous technologies. This allows the system to  detect the threat earlier, which makes it possible to launch the interceptor in time to destroy the hypersonic missile  before its active maneuver begins, when defeat becomes an extremely difficult task.

The AN/TPY-2 radar is already used as part of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) systems and integrated into the global U.S. missile defense network. Upgrading with GaN makes it even more effective against rapidly evolving threats, especially from countries developing hypersonic weapons.

The United States continues to build up technologies capable of resisting the new generation of weapons. This delivery is an important step in ensuring strategic security and increasing the chances of successful interception at the earliest stages of an attack.

Germany has begun building infrastructure for Israel's Arrow 3 missile defense system at Holzdorf Air Base

 Germany has begun building infrastructure for the Arrow 3 missile defense system developed by Israel at the Holzdorf air base, located about 75 kilometers south of Berlin.

The project aims to achieve initial operational readiness in 2025, and full operational readiness is expected by 2030, a representative of the German military procurement agency said.