The French Air Force informed on Tuesday that the country has conducted a nuclear-capable missile test from a Rafale fighter. An ASMPA cruise missile, which is the French military’s main nuclear strike weapon for aircraft, was reportedly used by the Rafale. The ASMPA is a supersonic missile with range in excess of 300km. The 11 hours nuclear mission also included aerial refueling of Rafale. “These real strikes are scheduled in the life of the weapon’s system,” French Air Force spokesman said. “They are carried out at fairly regular intervals, but remain rare because the real missile, without its warhead, is fired.” Though French Air Force did not reveal when the tests were conducted but it came in the backdrop of the ending of Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty between US and Russia that stops both sides from deploying missiles with ranges in between 500km and 5,500km.

 

 

 

It is also interesting to know that some media reports mention that the Narender Modi Government deal to buy 36 Rafale fighters was concluded for ensuring the nuclear strike role in the Indian Air Force.