Why A Catastrophic Fire On A Nuclear Submarine Is Serious

The fire aboard the French Navy submarine Perle (S606) was reportedly in the forward part of the submarine. H I Sutton (inserts Marine Nationale)

Forbes: Why The Catastrophic Fire On A Nuclear Submarine Is Nothing To Gloat About

As details emerge of the fire aboard the French submarine Perle on Friday, it seems unlikely to me that the boat will be returned to service. Whichever way you look at it, the fire is a terrible blow for the French Navy (Marine Nationale). Their submarine fleet is already stretched. But France’s misfortune brings home a basic reality that it could happen to any navy.

The cause of the fire, which took most of Friday to extinguish, has yet to be determined. Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, was reported by Naval News as saying on June 13 that the “cause for such a strong (and rapid) fire is still unknown.” She also said that if the boat turns out to be fixable, everything will be done to repair it. Any hint of optimism in this statement may point to the terrible predicament that it will leave the French Navy in if it cannot be repaired.

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More News On The Fire Damage Aboard The French Nuclear Submarine Perle

Fire extinguished on unarmed French nuclear submarine -- The Local/AFP
Fire on French nuclear submarine extinguished after 14 hours -- Taiwan News/AP
France says 'no nuclear accident' during submarine fire -- AFP
Fire on French Nuclear Submarine Extinguished After 14 Hours -- New York Times
Firefighters Battled the French SSN ‘Perle’ Blaze for 14 Hours -- Naval News

France Just Test Fired A Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile In The Atlantic

File photo of M51 launch at sea. French Navy picture.

Warzone/The Drive: France Just Test Fired A Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile In The Atlantic (Updated)

A U.S. Air Force RC-135R Cobra Ball launch surveillance aircraft took in the test while orbiting over the Caribbean.

The French Triomphant class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Le Téméraire test-fired an M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile in the Atlantic off of Finistère, France in the early hours of June 12th, 2020. Some sort of a test appeared to be in the works just three days ago when Le Téméraire was spotted sailing out of port with huge test instrumentation masts attached that are commonly fitted to submarines prior to developmental ballistic missile launches. Then, last evening, our good friend @aircraftspots began tracking a U.S. Air Force RC-135S Cobra Ball ballistic missile and rocket tracking aircraft flying out over the Caribbean. Not long after, a French Falcon 50 maritime patrol aircraft showed up in the area, indicating a launch was likely imminent.

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Update: French Navy SSBN ‘Le Téméraire’ Test Fired M51 SLBM in Operational Conditions (Naval News)

WNU Editor: France is reminding everyone that they have nuclear missiles.

French President Macron Calls For A Coordinated EU Nuclear Defence Strategy

France 24: Macron unveils nuclear doctrine, warns EU ‘cannot remain spectators’ in arms race

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday unveiled his nuclear doctrine advocating a more coordinated European Union defence strategy in which France, the bloc's only post-Brexit nuclear power, and its arsenal would hold a central role.

In a much anticipated speech to military officers graduating in Paris, Macron called on EU member states to play a more direct role in halting a new nuclear arms race, saying they "cannot remain spectators" against a threat to the continent's collective security.

"In the absence of a legal framework, they could rapidly face a new race for conventional weapons, even nuclear weapons, on their own soil," said Macron.

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WNU Editor: On a side note .... France cut its nuclear arsenal to under 300 warheads (Defence Blog)

More News On French President Macron Calling For A Coordinated EU Nuclear Defence Strategy

Macron urges greater EU role in curbing nuclear threats -- The Local/AFP
Amid arms race, Macron offers Europe French nuclear wargames insight -- Reuters
Macron calls for coordinated EU nuclear defence strategy — with France at centre -- Euronews/AP
France seeks lead post-Brexit role in EU nuclear strategy -- AP
In post-Brexit push, Macron calls for European nuclear arms control agenda -- Euractiv
Macron: Europeans cannot remain spectators in new arms race -- Al Jazeera
France Seeks Leading Role In Post-Brexit EU Nuclear Strategy-- Forces Network
Macron warns that European nations ‘cannot remain spectators’ in the face of a potential nuclear arms race -- RT

France Tested Its Nuclear Capability Using Rafale Warplanes

A French Dassault Rafale flies above the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. Marine nationale

Daily Mail: France carries out rare simulation of a 'nuclear deterrent strike' as US quits missile pact with Russia

* Paris tested its nuclear capability in an 11-hour mission using Rafale warplanes
* The simulation included the firing of a real missile without its nuclear warhead
* France maintains a 300-strong nuclear stockpile at a cost of €3.5billion a year

France has carried out a rare simulation of a nuclear deterrent strike, amid fears of an arms race after Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of a missile pact with Russia.

The French military tested its nuclear capability in an 11-hour mission, using a Rafale warplane and firing a real missile without its nuclear warhead.

France spends some $3.5billion (£3.1bn) per year on maintaining its 300-strong nuclear weapons stockpile, launched from planes and submarines.

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Update #1: France fires nuclear-capable missile in a rare show as Russia and US feud over arms treaty -- Business Insider
Update #2: France carries out rare simulation of nuclear deterrent strike -- Reuters

WNU Editor: France also wants hypersonic missiles .... Now France Wants Hypersonic Missiles by 2021 (National Interest).