(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The French aerospace industry’s pride, the Rafale fighter jet, has showcased its capability in launching air-launched cruise missile equipped with a new nuclear warhead recently.
Last Wednesday, the Rafale fighter jet developed by Dassault Aviation successfully launched the “ASMPA” missile, which has been enhanced in its capabilities.
Various sources quoted by media and defense analysts have indicated the successful test launch of the missile.
Although designed to carry a nuclear warhead, the “ASMPA” guided missile was not equipped with a nuclear explosive during the exercise.
The exercise aimed to simulate a “nuclear attack,” according to sources, who also added that the modified missile is called “ASMPA-R.”
France intends to allocate approximately 13 percent of its Defense Budget in the coming years to further enhance its nuclear weapon capabilities, including developing nuclear-capable missiles for aircraft launch by 2035.
The “ASMPA-R” guided missile, also known as Air-Sol Moyenne Portée Amélioré-Rénové, is an upgraded platform from the original missile variant.
Developed for the French military, this modern air-launched cruise missile has enhanced capabilities and increased range compared to its predecessor.
With a total length of 5.38 meters and a diameter of 0.38 meters, the ASMPA-R missile is compact enough to be carried by various other fighter jets, including the Rafale and Mirage 2000N.
In terms of its characteristics, the ASMPA-R missile boasts high speed and low-altitude flight, making it difficult to detect and intercept.
It is also equipped with advanced guidance systems, including Inertial Navigation and GPS, to ensure precise targeting.
Its design also ensures resilience in battlefield conditions.
Using a Ramjet engine, the ASMPA-R missile achieves supersonic speeds, enabling it to fly long distances while maintaining agility and evading enemy air defense systems.
The ASMPA-R missile is versatile as it can be equipped with various warheads, including conventional and nuclear, making it useful for a variety of strategic or tactical operations depending on the need.
With a target range of up to 500km, the ASMPA-R missile can strike distant targets within enemy territory.
The recent test of the ASMPA-R guided missile marks a significant milestone for the French Air Force, as the Rafale fighter jets now join the Mirage 2000N fighter jets as capable platforms for launching nuclear missiles.
Similar to the US F-22 fighter jets, the Mirage 2000N is used exclusively within the country and cannot be exported, yet it remains a critical asset for France.
Currently, France possesses 64 Mirage 2000N fighter jets.
Meanwhile, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated that the exercise ensures the country’s nuclear deterrence capability using air platforms, in addition to nuclear-guided missiles launched from submarines. –DSA