The French Ministry of Defence announced the successful launch of the upgraded ASMPA-R medium-range strategic air-to-surface missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. 

Aujourd’hui, l’@Armee_de_lair et les équipages des FAS ont réussi le premier tir d’évaluation des forces du missile ASMP-A rénové en coopération avec la @DGA. Une nouvelle démonstration de la crédibilité de la composante aéroportée de la dissuasion nucléaire. pic.twitter.com/HNWf7RvtkU

— Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (@Armee_de_lair) May 22, 2024

The missile, which obviously did not carry the nuclear payload during the exercise “Operation Durandal”, was launched by a Rafale B of the French Strategic Air Force (FAS). 

Depuis le 8 octobre 1964, l’@Armee_de_lair tient l’alerte nucléaire sans discontinuité.
60 ans de posture permanente de dissuasion nucléaire. pic.twitter.com/ysB1gp0fxt

— Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (@Armee_de_lair) May 22, 2024

During the exercise, a nuclear strike was simulated, where Rafale B fighter jets and an A330 MRTT Phénix refueling aircraft flew for more than 7 hours over French territory.

The ASMPA, a product of MBDA, is a nuclear-warhead supersonic cruise missile that was originally used on the Mirage 2000N-K3 fighter-bomber until 2018, before being integrated into the Rafale F3R. 

The missile entered service with the French Air Force (Armée de l’Air) in 2009 and with the French Navy (Marine Nationale) in 2010.

The upgraded ASMPA-R will be the next strategic missile operated by the Strategic Air Force (FAS) and the Nuclear Naval Air Force (FANu) and will be replaced by the upcoming strategic 4th-generation ASN4G air-to-ground missile by 2035, according to the announcement of the French Ministry of Defence.

Also read: France | First Rafale F4.1 fighter aircraft reaches initial operational capability