France to develop new ballistic missile for addressing gaps in long-range strike capabilities.

According to Challenges on November 27, 2024, France is exploring the development of a new land-based ballistic missile with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers, the first such initiative since 1997. This development reflects a growing global reliance on ballistic missiles, which have proven effective in various conflicts. The proposed missile aims to fill a gap in France’s capabilities, as its current ballistic missile systems are exclusively submarine-based and designed for nuclear deterrence.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The Pluton land-based ballistic missile, developed in the 1960s, served as a key component of France's tactical nuclear deterrence during the Cold War, with a range of 7 to 120 km and a 25-kiloton warhead. (Picture source: Facebook/Les Historateurs)

France currently lacks land-based ballistic missile capabilities. Its only ballistic missile, the submarine-launched M51, serves as a nuclear deterrent. Discussions between the French armed forces and the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) have centered on creating a land-based missile system operable from mobile platforms, such as trucks. Early design concepts suggest the missile may feature terminal-phase maneuverability similar to other advanced systems, making it more difficult for enemy defenses to intercept. The effectiveness of such ballistic missiles has been evident in recent conflicts. For example, Ukraine’s interception rate of Russia’s Iskander-M missiles stands at just 4.3%, while Iranian strikes on Israel revealed the limitations of advanced systems like Iron Dome and David’s Sling against large-scale attacks.

Historically, France has developed several ground-launched ballistic missiles since World War II. Between 1946 and 1947, German engineers in France worked on the Super V2, an intermediate-range ballistic missile project with planned variants capable of ranges up to 3,600 kilometers and warheads weighing up to 1,000 kilograms. However, the project was discontinued in 1948. The S2 missile, operational from 1971, was a two-stage, solid-propellant intermediate-range ballistic missile equipped with a 1.2-megaton thermonuclear warhead. It was succeeded in 1980 by the S3 missile, which shared similar specifications and remained in service until 1996. In 1974, France introduced the Pluton missile, a short-range tactical ballistic missile with a range of up to 120 kilometers, designed for nuclear or conventional warheads. The Pluton was replaced in 1991 by the Hadès missile, which had a range of approximately 480 kilometers. Intended as a pre-strategic nuclear deterrent, the Hadès missile was decommissioned by 1997.

This new program is distinct from France's Long-Range Land Strike (FLP-T) initiative, which focuses on developing rocket artillery replacements with ranges up to 150 kilometers. In contrast, the proposed ballistic missile would exceed 1,000 kilometers, offering additional strategic options for deep strikes in conflicts. However, funding remains a significant challenge, as France’s military budget is already allocated to high-priority projects such as M51 missile upgrades and the development of the ASN4G air-launched nuclear missile. This potential project could also align with the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA), a collaborative initiative involving Germany, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. If developed, the missile would complement France’s existing capabilities, such as Rafale jets and cruise missiles, enhancing its capacity for strategic strikes.

Ballistic missiles are designed to deliver warheads over long distances via a high-arcing trajectory. They are powered during the initial phase of flight, after which they follow a ballistic path influenced by gravity and air resistance. This design enables them to strike targets at ranges varying from short to intercontinental distances. Their high speed and altitude make interception challenging. Some ballistic missiles are equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), allowing a single missile to deploy multiple warheads to different targets.

These features underline the strategic importance of ballistic missiles, as demonstrated by their effectiveness in recent conflicts and their potential to address gaps in capabilities like those identified in France’s current arsenal. On October 1, 2024, Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, with several penetrating Israel's multi-layered missile defense systems and striking key military bases. In response, Israel conducted airstrikes using Blue Sparrow ballistic missiles carried by F-15 fighters. Analysts regard these exchanges as part of the first "ballistic battle," following similar events in April 2024.

Russia has employed nearly 200 ballistic missiles since its invasion of Ukraine began, including the Iskander and Kinzhal systems, as well as North Korean-manufactured KN-23 missiles. Russia has also developed new missiles like the Oreshnik and Iskander-1000, which reportedly doubles the range of its predecessor. On October 22, 2024, Yehor Cherniev, head of Ukraine's NATO delegation, indicated forthcoming "concrete results" from the use of domestically produced ballistic missiles, likely referring to the Hrim-2. The United States, meanwhile, has progressed with its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) program, delivering the first units in December 2023. Non-state actors such as the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon have also demonstrated the increasing proliferation of ballistic missile technology.

China has heavily invested in ballistic missile programs, with systems like the DF-21D and DF-26 capable of targeting installations across the Western Pacific. Additionally, the range of its DF-100 supersonic missile has been extended to 4,000 kilometers. South Korea’s Hyunmoo-V missile, capable of carrying an eight-ton warhead over 3,000 kilometers, targets underground facilities and strategic sites in North Korea. North Korea has also tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, potentially solid-fueled, with the capability to reach the United States. These developments underscore the increasing importance of land-based, long-range strike capabilities in modern defense strategies.