France begins development of ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile

France begins development of ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile

France begins development of ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile

The new ASN4G hypersonic missile will strengthen France’s nuclear deterrent by replacing the ASMPA-R currently carried by the Rafale.

France has granted permission to National Defense Major MBDA to proceed with the development of Air-Sol Nucléaire de 4ème Génération (ASN4G).) Nuclear strike cruise missile. It is expected to be inducted by 2035 and will be carried by the Rafale F5 and Navy Rafale M variants assigned to the Strategic Air Forces (Forces Aériennes Stratégiques – FAS) and the Nuclear Naval Air Forces Aéronavale Nucléaire – FANu, respectively.

The Armed Forces Directorate (Direction Générale de l’Armement – ​​DGA), which signed the contract on June 2, 2026, also stated that the fourth-generation missile will fly at hypersonic speeds. ASN4G will replace the current Air-sol Moyenne Portée Amélioré Rénové (ASMPA-R/Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Surface Strategic Missile Modified).

ASMPA-R is itself an improvement over its predecessor, ASMP-A. The weapon was successfully test-fired using an inert warhead in May 2024 and was unveiled for the first time under the French National Marine Corps (French Navy) Rafale M in November 2025.

The start of work on new nuclear weapons came amid France’s active role in strengthening NATO’s eastern flank and nuclear deterrence ahead of Russia through support for Ukraine and later extending it to Europe. One of the measures is the reopening of Luxeuil Air Base with an investment of 1.5 billion euros.

Modern missile systems that ensure the security of France

Images accompanying the DGA press release show never-before-seen images of the launch of a test vehicle with high vertical stabilizers assisted by two rocket boosters. The caption identifies the vehicle as a Thémis technology demonstrator, but it is unclear whether this demonstrator represents the final production ASN4G.

“The Directorate-General of the Armed Forces (DGA) has notified MBDA of the Framework Agreement for the implementation and development contract of the Fourth Generation Nuclear Air-to-Ground Missile (ASN4G) on June 2, 2026,” according to a DGA release.

“ASN4G’s performance, particularly its ultra-high speed, will enable us to maintain the reliability of our airborne deterrent against evolving threats,” the DGA added.

As previously mentioned, DGA confirmed that ASN4G will replace the upgraded ASMPA-R as part of the ongoing modernization of the airborne nuclear component. ASMPA-R was also featured in France’s ‘Fokker’ nuclear exercise in March 2026.

“As a technological breakthrough over previous systems, ASN4G relies on technological and industrial know-how possessed by only a few countries in the world,” the DGA added.

In a post on LinkedIn, MBDA CEO Eric Béranger confirmed the DGA’s notification of the development of hypersonic ASN4G, which will be deployed as France’s new airborne deterrence capability by 2035. “This new capability will be carried out by the future Rafale F5 fighter jet and will serve as the ultimate and decisive weapon system that will ensure France’s sovereignty and protection under any circumstances,” Béranger added.

Supersonic Speed ​​vs. Stealth

Beranger also highlighted the rare and cutting-edge technology featured in ASN4G, which places France in a small group of countries with such capabilities. “The trust placed in MBDA for this new development is the best testament to the know-how of MBDA employees in mastering cutting-edge technology and the most advanced composite weapons.”

France was initially assessing whether ASN4G would be defined by stealth or hypersonic speeds, represented by the Camosis and Prométhée upstream research programs. However, a March 2023 report suggests that both will be powered by ramjets. Opex360.

Admiral Hervé de Bonnaventure explained to a parliamentary panel why the hypersonic option would prevail. “Very high performance in terms of speed and maneuverability seems to be the best way to achieve detection as late as possible, complicate radar tracking or even radar tracking operations and ultimately disrupt anti-missile attacks,” the admiral said.

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