France is moving forward with its next-generation nuclear cruise missile, taking a big step in modernizing its airborne nuclear deterrent. The country’s defense procurement agency recently announced it had given MBDA a contract to develop the ASN4G hypersonic missile. This new weapon is expected to enter service around 2035 and will replace the current ASMPA-R missile.

This announcement comes after the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) formally notified the framework agreement and development contract on June 2. The program is now moving from years of research and concept studies to full-scale development.

France advances next-generation nuclear missile

The Air-Sol Nucléaire de 4ème Génération, or ASN4G, will be the next airborne nuclear strike weapon for the French armed forces. MBDA, a European missile manufacturer, is developing the missile as a key part of France’s long-term defense modernization plans in the 2024-2030 military programming law.

MBDA is owned by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. The company has worked for years with France’s national aerospace research center, ONERA, to study possible designs for the new weapon.

The ASN4G is meant to replace the ASMPA-R, the latest version of France’s nuclear-capable air-launched cruise missile. Although the ASMPA-R is still in use, defense planners have been preparing for its replacement as air defense systems worldwide improve.

According to the DGA, the new missile’s high speed will help keep France’s airborne nuclear deterrent effective and credible as threats become more advanced. The agency called the program a major technological leap that depends on specialized industrial skills found in only a few countries.

Hypersonic approach selected after years of studies

French researchers evaluated two competing concepts before selecting the final direction for the ASN4G program. One idea was a stealthy ramjet-powered missile designed to be less detectable by radar. The other focused on hypersonic speed and advanced maneuverability. After many studies, the hypersonic option was chosen.

MBDA previously explained that extreme speed combined with the ability to maneuver in flight gives important advantages. These features can shorten warning times, make radar tracking more difficult, and make it harder for enemy air defenses to intercept the missile.

While the official details are still classified, defense experts think the ASN4G will use scramjet propulsion. It is also expected to fly much faster than the ASMPA-R, which can reach about Mach 3 and has a range of around 311 miles (500 kilometers).

The DGA also shared a new image related to the Thémis technology demonstrator. The picture showed a winged vehicle rising into the air with the help of two booster rockets. However, officials did not say when or where the test took place, and details about the Thémis program remain limited.

Rafale F5 to carry the new hypersonic weapon

The ASN4G is being developed together with the future Rafale F5 fighter, which is expected to enter service around 2030.

France chose to fund the Rafale F5 program on its own after talks about sharing costs with the United Arab Emirates ended in December 2025.

When it becomes operational, the missile will be used by both branches of France’s airborne nuclear force. These are the Forces Aériennes Stratégiques (FAS), which is the nuclear part of the French Air and Space Force, and the Force Aéronavale Nucléaire (FANu), which flies Rafale M fighters from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

Nuclear deterrence gains greater strategic role

The ASN4G contract comes as France is placing greater emphasis on the airborne component of its nuclear deterrent strategy.

On March 2, 2026, President Emmanuel Macron announced a new deterrence plan that could see nuclear-capable Rafale aircraft deployed to allied bases across Europe. This idea shows France’s growing concern about regional security and the need for a more flexible deterrence approach.

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