Note: All specifications are from recent Jane's Information Group publications (Strategic Weapon Systems, Fighting Ships, Naval Weapon Systems, and All the World's Aircraft), except "Throw-weight", and "Yield" which are from the International Institute for Strategic Studies' Military Balance 1995-6, "Locations," and "Number Deployed" are from Arkin and Norris, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Disagreements are footnoted (with hypertext links), as are selected facts in the text.

The entries are listed as follows:

• Sea-Based Strategic Weapons
• L'Inflexible SSBN
• Le Triomphant SSBN
• M-4 SLBM
• M-45 SLBM
• Air-Based Strategic Weapons
• Mirage 2000N
• Super Etendard
• ASMP SRAM
• Footnotes
• Link to Brief Summary of French Arsenal

L'Inflexible (SNLE M4) SSBN

• Year Deployed: 1973
• Displacement: 8,080 tons surfaced, 9,820 tons dived¹
• Dimensions: 128.7 meters length, 10.6 meters height, 10 meters diameter
• Propulsion: Nuclear, 1 shaft, 1 propeller
• Speed: 25 knots dived, 20 knots surfaced²
• Missiles: 16 M-4 SLBMs
• Locations: Ile Longue, Brest - 4
• Number Deployed: 4 submarines
• Primary Contractor: Direction des Constructions et Armes Navales³

These ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) were previously known as the Le Redoubtable class (and are sometimes referred to as the modified Le Redoubtable class). But when the vessel bearing that name was decommissioned in 1991, they were renamed the L'Inflexible class, after the newest vessel. The other four submarines have undergone a two and a half year modernization overhaul in the 1980s which fitted the M-4 missiles, replaced the missile launch system, installed new reactor cores, updated the sonar, and improved quieting up to the standard of the L'Inflexible. These boats are scheduled to begin retirement one already retired in 1996, with two others scheduled in 1998, and 2002 -- four new Le Triomphant SSBNs will gradually replace them.⁴

Like U.S. and British SSBNs, the French have two rotating crews for each of their missile boats, which they call Rouge (red) and Bleu (blue). The submarines usually spend two months on patrol, then return to Brest to exchange crews and perform maintainence before heading back out to sea.⁵ French policy has been to maintain three SSBNs ready at all times, with two at-sea on patrol. This was difficult with the early M-1 SLBMs and M-2 SLBMs, which had to patrol off Norway's north coast to reach inland targets in Russia. The M-4 has cut down dramatically on transit time to patrol areas, which because of range can include the western Atlantic. With the M-4 missiles, the SSBNs can even reach some targets in Russia from dockside in France.⁶ Each SSBN carries several predetermined "target dossiers" on magnetic disks. The entire complement of 16 M-4 missiles can be fired in 3-4 minutes.⁷

Unlike the British, who developed a sea-based deterrent with significant U.S. aid, the French did it largely on their own. While there was much sharing of nuclear design and test data with the United Kingdom, including the outright sale of SLBMs, there was little such cooperation with the French. In the spirit of Charles de Gaulle's independent force de frappe, and its later incarnation, the force d'dissuasion, the French embarked on constructing their own nuclear triad. Little American aid was forthcoming during initial development, though there was some U.S. nuclear aid after 1972, after the French had developed their first generation of weapons. French SSBNs and SLBMs consequently have lagged at least a generation behind the U.S. Today the U.S. is sharing testing and simulation data with the French to maintain their arsenal under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.⁸

With President Chirac's announcement in February, 1996 of the elimination of the S-3 IRBMs, as well as other recent reductions, the SSBNs will play an even larger role in France's nuclear deterrent. In addition to destroying the S-3 silos on the Plateau d'Albion, the short-range Hades missile (follow-on to the retired Pluton) will be eliminated as well, as have Jaguar and Mirage IVP aircraft from the nuclear role. However in an interesting counterpoint to these reductions, France is going ahead with modernization of its remaining nuclear forces in the next decade, including a new short-range attack missile, the ASMP+, a new SLBM, the M-51, and equipping the new fighter-bomber, the Rafale D, for the nuclear role. The French policy brings some welcome reductions, but the modernization program seems excessive given the lack of an enemy.

Le Triomphant SSBN (SNLE-NG)

• Year Deployed: 1996
• Displacement: 12,640 tons surfaced, 14,335 tons dived dived⁹
• Dimensions: 138 meters length, 12.5 meters height, 17 meters diameter
• Propulsion: Nuclear K-15 reactor, 1 shaft, pump jet propulsor¹⁰
• Speed: 25 knots dived dived¹¹
• Missiles: 16 M-45 SLBMs
• Locations: Ile Longe, Brest - 1
• Number Deployed: 1 submarine
• Primary Contractor: Direction des Constructions et Armes Navales¹²

The Le Triomphant boats are the latest addition to the French missile submarine force, the FOST (Force Oceanique Strategique). They are referred to as the SNLE-NG (SSBN, New Generation). A class of six was originally planned, but that was reduced to four. There was widespread speculation that this total might be further reduced to three, but President Chirac has reaffirmed that four Le Triomphants will be built. These submarines are a replacement for the aging L'Inflexible class of SSBNs. The first of the class was expected to conduct its first patrol by the end of 1996. The second boat is scheduled to become operational in 1999, the third in 2001, and the fourth in 2005.¹³

The Le Triomphant class will be quieter than its predecessor, heavier, able to dive deeper, and have more advanced computers and software.¹⁴ It is built of HLES 100 steel, and capable of diving to 500 meters, twice that of its predecessor. Much though has been given to quieting, and the radiated noise level has been described as "less than that of the sea bottom noise ... reduced to a few millionths of Watts."¹⁵

The Le Triomphants will initially use the M-45 SLBM with TN-75 warhead, but are planned to use a new missile, the M-51, which is under development. The proposed M-51 SLBM is a very long term project; backfitting of the Le Triomphant class to carry the proposed M-51 is scheduled to begin in 2010. Four boat loads of M-51s were originally to be ordered but this number will likely be reduced to three to rotate among the four planned submarines. In addition to torpedoes for self-defense, the Le Triomphants also carry an unknown number of SM-39 Exocets.¹⁶

M-4 SLBM

• Year Deployed: 1985
• Dimensions: 11.05 meters length, 1.93 meters diameter¹⁷
• Weight: 35,000 kilograms
• Propulsion: Three stage solid-fuel
• Throw-weight: Unknown
• Range: 4,000 kilometers¹⁸
• Guidance: Inertial plus computer payload control¹⁹
• Circular Error Probable: Unknown
• Warhead: 6 x MRVs, TN-70/1
• Yield: 150 kilotons
• Locations: 4 L'Inflexible SSBNs
• Number Deployed: 48 missiles
• Primary Contractor: Aerospatiale, Space and Strategic Systems Division

The M-4 is the fourth SLBM, or MSBS (Mer-Sol-Balistique-Strategique - Sea to Ground Strategic Ballistic missile), deployed by the French. It has a relatively short range, and is comparable to the American Polaris and Poseidon SLBMs. First tested in 1981, the missile was deployed on the five L'Inflexible (modified L'Redoubtable) boats, which were modified in the 1980's to carry it.²⁰

The M-4 represents a significant increase over its predecessor, the M-20, particularly in terms of range (4,000 kilometers compared to 3,000 kilometers) as well as warheads (6 compared to 1). Accuracy is assumed to have improved from the M-20's 1000 meter CEP as well, though details are unknown. The M-4's six warheads are believed to have a limited independent targeting capability. The warhead "footprint" of the M-4 has been reported as capable attacking targets within a 150x350 kilometers area.²¹

A primary goal of the M-4 was defeating the upgraded Soviet ABM system. To this end, the TN-70/-71 warheads were "extremely hardened" to resist EMP effects from nearby nuclear blasts, and were miniaturized. With U.S. aid, the French were able to space (using explosive charges to propel the warheads away from the central missile bus) the incoming warheads so that a Soviet ABM nuclear blast would only destroy one of the missile's six warheads. 96 of the earlier TN-70 warheads were manufactured (missiles carrying the TN-70 are sometimes referred to as the M-4A). An improved variant, the TN-71, has a lower radar cross section and is reported as more survivable against ABM defenses -- 288 warheads were manufactured (missiles with the TN-71 are sometimes called the M-4B)²²

The M-4 was briefly considered as a replacement for France's S-3 IRBMs, but that plan, as well as the S-3's, has been scrapped. The last M-4 will be retired with the last L'Inflexible SSBN, expected in 2002.

M-45 SLBM

• Year Deployed: 1996
• Dimensions: 11.05 meters length, 1.93 meters diameter²³
• Weight: 35,000 kilograms
• Propulsion: Three stage solid-fuel
• Throw-weight: Unknown
• Range: 5,300 kilometers²⁴
• Guidance: Inertial
• Circular Error Probable: Unknown
• Warhead: 6 x MIRVs, TN-75
• Yield: 100 kilotons
• Locations: 1 Le Triomphant submarine
• Number Deployed: 16 missiles
• Primary Contractor: Aerospatiale, Space and Strategic Systems Division

The M-45 is an upgraded SLBM which will be equipped on the new Le Triomphant SSBNs. Compared to its predecessor, the M-4, the M-45 has upgraded electronics, reentry vehicle, and warhead. The reentry vehicle is coated with a new material and precisely designed shape, has a high reentry speed, and is accompanied by advanced penetration aids to defeat ABM defenses. The new TN-75 warhead is miniaturized and hardened against EMP effects. The TN-75 warhead has been described as "almost invisible" for its stealth characteristics.²⁵ The talk of ABM defenses and SDI in the 1980s spurred the design to be resistant to such measures. As President Chirac stated, the French nuclear tests at Muroroa Atoll in 1995-6 in part stemmed from the need to test this new warhead design. The M-45 is expected to be deployed until 2010-15, when a follow-on M-5 SLBM will be deployed in its place. .²⁶

The proposed follow-on to the M-45, the fifth generation M-5, has been in the design stages since 1988. The greatly increased range of the proposed M-5 over the M-45 (11,000 kilometers versus 5,300 kilometers) represents a large increase in capability. The M-5 will also carry modern penetration aids tailored to defeat upgrades to the Moscow ABM system.²⁷ The missile will even be hardened against laser weapons based on space platforms. The M-5's proposed TN-76 warhead has been described as stealthy and having maneuvering reentry vehicle technology (MARV) -- it will be able to spin and maneuver in flight. However, given that France cannot test such a new warhead under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, it may settle for deploying the M-45's tested TN-75 warhead instead. It can carry a maximum of 12 warheads, but will likely to carry less (probably six) given the relaxed world security situation.²⁸

Air-Based Strategic Weapons

Mirage 2000N

• Year Deployed: 1988
• Dimensions: 14.55 meters length, 5.15 meters height, 9.13 meters wingspan²⁹
• Weight: empty - 7,600 kilograms, max takeoff - 17,000 kilograms³⁰
• Propulsion: SNECMA M53-P2 turbofan
• Speed: Mach 2.2
• Range: (hi-lo-hi) 1,205 kilometers³¹
• Maximum Loadout: 1 ASMP (plus two Magic conventional air defense missiles)
• Weapon Load: 6,300 kilograms³²
• Locations: Luxeil 30 aircraft (2 squadrons), Istres - 15 aircraft (1 squadron)
• Number Deployed: 45 aircraft
• Primary Contractor: Dassault Aviation

The Mirage 2000N (Nucleaire) is the nuclear strike component of France's Force Aerienne Strategique (FAS). It is the seventh generation of Mirage combat aircraft. The Mirage 2000N is a two-seater, single engine, delta wing, low altitude penetration variant. The first batch became operational in 1988, with production ending in 1993. Some of the earlier models have been fitted for a dual-use conventional ground-attack capability. To carry out their mission, they are fitted with terrain-following radar, two inertial guidance platforms, two Magic self-defense missiles, and a ECM jamming suite.³³

In 1989 the number of deployed nuclear-armed Mirage 2000N aircraft was cut from 75 aircraft in five squadrons to 45 aircraft in three squadrons. Before 1991, they were armed with the AN-52 nuclear gravity bomb, but with its retirement, they carry the ASMP short-range attack missile. France no longer has any nuclear gravity bombs.³⁴

With the retirement of the Mirage IVP strike aircraft in July 1996, the Mirage 2000N has become the sole French land-based nuclear-armed aircraft. Mirage IVPs had been on ground alert since 1964, with nine four plane squadrons deployed at nine separate bases -- one Mirage IVP at each base was ready to take off with 15 minutes' notice. The Mirage 2000N will likely be replaced by the next generation fighter/bomber, the Rafale. The Rafale D is slated to take up the nuclear role in 2005.³⁵

Super Etendard

• Year Deployed: 1980
• Dimensions: 14.31 meters length, 3.86 meters height, 9.60 meters wingspan
• Weight: empty - 6,500 kilograms, maximum takeoff - 9,450-12,000 kilograms³⁶
• Propulsion: SNECMA Atar 8K-50 non-afterburning turbojet
• Speed: Approximately Mach 1
• Range: (hi-lo-high) 850 kilometers³⁷
• Maximum Loadout: 1 ASMP
• Weapon Load: 2,100 kilograms³⁸
• Locations: Aircraft carrier Foch
• Number Deployed: 24 aircraft
• Primary Contractor: Dassault-Breguet

In addition to missile submarines and ground-based strike aircraft, the French retain a nuclear capability based on their two aircraft carriers. Since the U.S., Russia, and Britain have removed such weapons, and China is not suspected to have them, France is the only nuclear power remaining with deployed, naval-based, non-SLBM nuclear weapons. This capability is based France's Clemenceau class carriers, the Clemenceau (R98) and Foch (R99), which have Toulon as their home port. Referred to by the French as PANs (Porte-Avions Nucleaire) the carriers are equipped with a varying number of Super Etendard nuclear-capable strike aircraft. Since 1988, only the 20 aircraft assigned to the Foch have carried nuclear weapons, since only that carrier was modified to handle the ASMP missile. Previously, both carriers were equipped to carry the AN-52 nuclear bomb, since retired.³⁹ The Super Etendards in the nuclear role were reduced from 50-55 airplanes to 24, with 20 ASMPs allocated to them. The new de Gaulle-class carrier is scheduled for deployment in 1998 (with a second planned but not yet ordered), and will also carry Super Etendards and later nuclear-capable Rafale strike aircraft.⁴⁰

The Super-Etendard is a single-seat, single-engine, all-weather, fighter/bomber. Production ended in 1983. It is the successor to France's previous carrier-based strike aircraft, the Etendard IV-M. It was supposed to have great commonality with its predecessor, but the addition of a more powerful engine, improved aerodynamic features, and other enhanced capabilities gave it a 90% new design. It is designed for a low to medium altitude flight profile, and is capable of in-flight refueling. It should be noted that an export version sold to the Argentines launched the Exocet which sunk the British destroyer HMS Sheffield in the Falklands War.⁴¹

ASMP SRAM

• Year Deployed: 1986
• Dimensions: 5.38 meters length, .38 meters diameter⁴²
• Weight: 860 kilograms⁴³
• Propulsion: Solid propellant booster and ramjet
• Throw-weight: Unknown
• Speed: Mach 2⁴⁴
• Range: 250 kilometers
• Guidance: Inertial and terrain mapping
• Circular Error Probable: 350-400 meters⁴⁵
• Warhead: TN-81
• Yield: 300 kilotons
• Locations: 45 Mirage 2000Ns and 20 Super Etendards
• Number Deployed: 65 missiles
• Primary Contractor: Aerospatiale, Space and Strategic Systems Division

The ASMP (Air-Sol Moyenne Portee -- medium-range air to surface missile) appears to be the French analogue of the recently retired U.S. short-range attack missile (SRAM). The ASMP replaced the AN-22 gravity bomb, and gave the French nuclear-armed fighter-bombers a standoff capability against heavily defended targets. The ASMP was designated for carriage by the Mirage 2000N, Mirage IVP (recently retired), and Super Etendard.

The wingless ASMP uses a solid fuel booster initially to reach speeds of approximately Mach 2 within five seconds, then switches to a ramjet for the remainder of the flight. Range depends upon the altitude of the firing platform, with a 250 miles range at high altitude, down to a minimum of 80 kilometers at low levels. The missile is programmed prior to takeoff via data cassette with specific launch and target parameters, although the missile receives a last-minute guidance update before firing.⁴⁶

80 ASMP missiles were ordered. 18 were allocated to the Mirage IVP strike aircraft, which have since been retired. The missile was designed with a 20 year lifespan in mind, which would mean it would retire in 2006 (though it would not be surprising if this were extended).⁴⁷ A stealthy, longer-ranged (800-1200 kilometers) ASLP was proposed in 1989, but with the security climate, such an upgrade is unlikely. Instead, President Chirac has announced France will pursue an "ASMP+" program, a missile with an extended range of 500 kilometers.⁴⁸

FOOTNOTES:

¹ L'Inflexible displacement is listed as 8,174 tons surfaced, 9,144 tons submerged in Robert Norris, Andrew Burrows, and Richard Fieldhouse, Nuclear Weapons Databook: British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons (Boulder; Westview Press - National Resources Defense Council, 1994), p. 294.

² L'Inflexible speed is given as 27 knots submerged in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p.294.

³ Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 294.

⁴ Jane's Fighting Ships 1996-7 (London: Jane's Information Group, 1996), p. 211.

⁵ Joshua Handler and William Arkin, Nuclear Warships and Naval Nuclear Weapons: A Complete Inventory, Neptune Papers, No. 2 (Washington, DC: Greenpeace and Institute for Policy Studies, 1988), p. 29.

⁶ British American Security Information Council, French Nuclear Policy Since the Fall of the Wall (Washington, DC: BASIC, 1993), p. 13.

⁷ Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, pp. 294-5.

⁸ BASIC, French Nuclear Policy Since the Fall of the Wall, p. 6.

⁹ Le Triomphant displacement listed as 14,120 tons submerged in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 298.

¹⁰ Le Triomphant propulsion system listed as large diameter propellor as opposed to pump jet propulsor in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 298.

¹¹ Le Triomphant listed as about 30 knots dived in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 298.

¹² Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 298.

¹³ William Arkin and Robert Norris, "Nuclear Notebook" Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (November 1996), p. 65.

¹⁴ Yves Boyer, "French and British Nuclear Forces in an Era of Uncertainty," in Nuclear Weapons in the Changing World, eds. Garrity and Maaranen, p. 113.

¹⁵ Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 299.

¹⁶ Jane's Fighting Ships, 1996-7, pp. 211.

¹⁷ M-4 listed as 11.07 meters length and 1.95 meters diameter in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 303.

¹⁸ M-4 range listed as 5,000 kilometers in International Institute of Strategic Studies, Military Balance 1995-6 (London: IISS, 1995), p. 288.

¹⁹ M-4 guidance described as inertial with star-fix or transit satellite update in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 303.

²⁰ "M-4,"Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems, (London: Jane's Information Group, 1990).

²¹ Max Walmer, Strategic Weapons (New York: Prentice Hall Press, 1988), p. 60.

²² Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, pp. 218-9, 255.

²³ Listed as 11.07 meters length and 1.95 meters diameter in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 303.

²⁴ M-45 range listed as 6,000 kilometers in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 304.

²⁵ Handler and Arkin, Nuclear Warships, p. 29.

²⁶ Arkin and Norris, "Nuclear Notebook" Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (November 1996), p. 65.

²⁷ "M-5," Jane's Strategic Weapon Systems.

²⁸ Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, pp. 260, 306.

²⁹ Mirage 2000N length listed as 14.94 meters and 5.20 meters height in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 283.

³⁰ Mirage 2000N empty weight is listed as 7,900 kilograms, maximum takeoff weight is 16,500 kilograms in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 283.

³¹ Radius of action listed as 690 kilometers in IISS, Military Balance, 1995-6, p. 288, also listed as 2,778 kilometers in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 283.

³² In IISS, Military Balance, 1995-6, p. 288.

³³ Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1996-7, (London: Jane's Information Group, 1996), p. 83.

³⁴ Arkin and Norris, "Nuclear Notebook" Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (November 1996), pp. 65-6.

³⁵ Arkin and Norris, "Nuclear Notebook" Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (November 1996), p. 66.

³⁶ Super Etendard empty weight listed as 6,250 kilometers, maximum takeoff weight listed as 11,900 kilograms in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 321.

³⁷ Super Etendard radius of action listed as 650 kilometers in IISS, Military Balance, 1995-6, p. 289, also combat radius listed as 700 kilometers at low level in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 321.

³⁸ In IISS, Military Balance, 1995-6, p. 288.

³⁹ BASIC, French Nuclear Policy Since the Fall of the Wall, p. 18.

⁴⁰ Arkin and Norris, "Nuclear Notebook" Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (November 1996), p. 66.

⁴¹ Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1982-3, (London: Jane's Information Group, 1982), p. 65.

⁴² ASMP diameter listed as .35 meters in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 287.

⁴³ ASMP weight listed as 840 kilograms in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 287.

⁴⁴ ASMP speed quoted as high as Mach 4 in Walmer, Strategic Weapons, p.40), quoted as Mach 2.5-2.7 in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 230.

⁴⁵ ASMP CEP estimated in Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 288.

⁴⁶ Walmer, Strategic Weapons, p. 40.

⁴⁷ Norris, Burrows, and Fieldhouse, British, French, and Chinese Nuclear Weapons, p. 230.

⁴⁸ Arkin and Norris, "Nuclear Notebook" Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (November 1996), p. 66.

Compiled by Ted Flaherty
11 December 1996
updated 2 January 1997