France launches program to produce new generation nuclear warheads

20 March, 2024 M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile. Photo credits: Marine Nationale France launches a new program to produce a new generation of nuclear warheads and resumes tritium production.

Euractiv reported on this with reference to the French Defense Minister S?bastien Lecorne. The French Defense Minister made the statement on Monday, March 18, during a visit to the Civaux nuclear power plant in southwestern France, which will produce tritium for the military. The tritium will be manufactured on the premises of the Commissariat ? l'?nergie atomique (CEA), the French nuclear scientific and industrial research establishment.

A Rafale fighter jet with an ASMP-A missile with a TNA nuclear warhead.

Photo credits: French Air and Space Force

Tritium production is primarily associated with an increase in the number of nuclear warheads. This is due to the fact that France is aware of the unstable security situation in the world and is preparing to strengthen its own nuclear deterrent. Currently, France's nuclear deterrent has 290 active warheads, which will be increased to 350.

Since 2016, France has been producing TNO (T?te nucl?aire oc?anique) nuclear warheads used in M51 intercontinental ballistic missiles. The 100-kiloton warheads replaced the older TN75 warheads on M51 ballistic missiles that entered service in 1996.

Militarnyi previously reported that the United Kingdom was expanding the number of specialists and facilities for the production of nuclear power plants and warheads.

The increase in staff is due to the general direction of the country: Britain wants to increase the production of nuclear reactors for military and commercial purposes.

The UK nuclear sector is currently undergoing expansion due to a large order of British nuclear submarines under the SSN-AUKUS project by Australia.