Submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) can be launched from anywhere in the world, regardless of the territory of the carrier platform. This gives user states hit any point in the world capability.

France, which has been conducting studies on modernizing the nuclear submarine fleet and strengthening it with new platforms, conducted ballistic missile test launch in the Atlantic on June 12. During the activity carried out off the coast of Finistère, Audierne Bay; Le Triomphant class FS Le Téméraire (S 617) launched an M51 SLBM without warhead.

The test activity was also tracked by the FS Monge (A 601) missile range instrumentation vessel of the French Navy. Following the estimated trajectory, the M51 splashed into the area located in ​​the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, a few hundred kilometres from any shore.

M51, the only ballistic missile developed in Europe after the end of the Cold War, was developed to overcome the ballistic missile shield based around Moscow. The system, which can reach 10,000 kilometres range, can carry six warheads, 100 kT each. The three-stage missile is propelled by a solid-fuel rocket motor.