We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Find out more

Contents

SIPRI Yearbook 2012

SIPRI Yearbook 2012

IV. French nuclear forces

Chapter:
7. World nuclear forces
Source:
SIPRI Yearbook 2012
Author(s):
Shannon N. Kile, Phillip Schell, Hans M. Kristensen, Vitaly Fedchenko, Alexander Glaser, Zia Mian International Panel on Fissile Materials

France’s nuclear forces consist of aircraft and nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), carrying a total of about 300 warheads (see table 7.5). The backbone of the French nuclear deterrent consists of four Triomphant class SSBNs. The newest boat in the class, Le Terrible, is equipped with 16 M51.1 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).1 The M51.1 is a three-stage, solid-fuelled missile that can carry up to six TN-75 warheads. The other three Triomphant class SSBNs will be rearmed with the M51.1 by 2017, replacing the M45 SLBM.2 The upgrade of Le Vigilant was expected to be completed in 2011, and those of Le Triomphant and Le Téméraire in 2012 and 2017, respectively.3 An improved version of the M51.1, the M51.2, is designed to carry the new Tête Nucléaire Océanique (TNO, Oceanic Nuclear Warhead) with selectable yields of up to 150 kilotons, which is believed to be housed in a new re-entry vehicle and will replace the M51.1 after 2015.4

Citation (MLA):
Kile, Shannon N., Phillip Schell, Hans M. Kristensen, Vitaly Fedchenko, Alexander Glaser, and Zia Mian International Panel on Fissile Materials. "7. World nuclear forces." SIPRI Yearbook. SIPRI. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2016. Web. 2 Jul. 2020. <https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780199650583/sipri-9780199650583-div1-45.xml>.
Citation (APA):
Kile, S., Schell, P., Kristensen, H., Fedchenko, V., Glaser, A., & Mian International Panel on Fissile Materials, Z. (2016). 7. World nuclear forces. In SIPRI, SIPRI Yearbook 2012: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2 Jul. 2020, from https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780199650583/sipri-9780199650583-div1-45.xml
Citation (Chicago):
Kile, Shannon N., Phillip Schell, Hans M. Kristensen, Vitaly Fedchenko, Alexander Glaser, and Zia Mian International Panel on Fissile Materials. "7. World nuclear forces." In SIPRI Yearbook 2012: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security, SIPRI. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016). Retrieved 2 Jul. 2020, from https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780199650583/sipri-9780199650583-div1-45.xml
The SIPRI Yearbook online requires a subscription or purchase to access its full text (purchase of a print copy of the 2010-2016 yearbooks also provides access to some content). Unsubscribed users can however freely search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter.
Please log in to access full text content, or find out more about how to subscribe.
If you think you should have access to this service, please contact your librarian.