A Suffren-class nuclear attack submarine and the multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Aquitaine conducted a simultaneous naval cruise missile (MdCN) firing. The synchronized approach reached the land target, which was situated on the Landes site used for the Direction générale de l’Armement (DGA) missile tests.
The ambitious firing was conducted under human and material conditions identical to those encountered in operation, with the aim of strengthening the operational know-how of the French Navy. Thus, the French Navy exhibits its capacity to coordinate strikes on land in depth, from many units, and on a single target.
The coordination and overall management of the firing, together with the security of both personnel and property, were guaranteed by the DGA missile testing and expertise centre – Landes site.
The fire was also made possible by the MdCN program directorate, DGA Information Management, and DGA Naval Techniques, with technical assistance from MBDA. The MdCN provides France with a national power projection capability, having been deployed on the FREMM since 2017 and the Suffren class submarines. Thus, objects of great interest can be hit by French Navy vessels with pinpoint accuracy and from a distance. This move allows one to exert military pressure on rivals even in the early stages of a crisis, so swaying their decisions.
The French Navy, which is constantly involved in intense preparation, will be able to improve its fighting skills thanks to the tactical and technical lessons learned from this shot.
