Blab Tech
France Approves Development of Hypersonic ASN4G Nuclear Missile
On June 2, 2026, the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) announced a framework agreement with MBDA to develop the Air‑Sol Nucléaire de 4ème Génération (ASN4G), a hypersonic, scramjet‑powered nuclear cruise missile. The contract, expected to bring the missile into service by 2035, will replace the current Air‑Sol Moyenne Portée Amélioré Rénové (ASMPA‑R) and will be carried by the future Rafale F5 fighter and the carrier‑based Rafale M variant.
The ASN4G is designed to fly at hypersonic speeds, allowing it to outrun contemporary air‑defence systems and provide a “warning shot” before strategic ballistic missiles are launched. The missile will be integrated into France’s Strategic Air Forces (Forces Aériennes Stratégiques – FAS) and the Nuclear Naval Air Force (Force Aéronavale Nucléaire – FANu), positioning it as the next step in France’s pre‑strategic deterrence posture.
The ASMPA‑R, an upgraded version of the ASMPA that entered service in 2009, has already been tested twice: first in May 2024 with an inert warhead, then in November 2025 on a Marine Nationale Rafale M. It also took part in the March 2026 “Poker” nuclear exercise, demonstrating its continued relevance to France’s deterrent framework.
France’s decision to develop the ASN4G is part of a broader strategy to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank and support Ukraine. The government has earmarked €1.5 billion to reopen Luxeuil Air Base, a key facility for strategic air operations, and the hypersonic missile will help expand the country’s nuclear deterrent across Europe.
Technical details are still emerging. A DGA press release showed a test vehicle with a tall vertical stabilizer and two rocket boosters—identified as the Thémis technology demonstrator. While it is unclear whether Thémis represents the final production design, the image illustrates the use of a ramjet engine, a technology common to both the Camosis and Prométhée research programmes. Admiral Hervé de Bonnaventure explained to a parliamentary panel that the hypersonic option was chosen because high speed and maneuverability delay detection and complicate tracking and interception.
MBDA CEO Eric Béranger confirmed the notification from the DGA and stated that the ASN4G will be fielded by 2035 as France’s new airborne deterrence capacity. He added that the missile will be carried by the future Rafale F5 fighter, described as the ultimate weapon system that will ensure France’s sovereignty. Béranger highlighted the advanced technology involved, noting that only a small group of countries possess hypersonic launch capabilities.
The ASN4G program is expected to deliver a missile with more than twice the range of the current ASMPA‑R, exceeding 1 000 km. The program remains in the development phase, with no operational deployment yet. Key milestones will include further testing of the scramjet engine, integration trials with the Rafale platforms, and certification of the nuclear warhead. The French government has not yet announced a specific budget for the program beyond the DGA contract.
In summary, France has formally authorized the development of the ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile, a project that will replace the ASMPA‑R in the 2035 timeframe. The missile will be integrated into the Rafale F5 and Rafale M aircraft and will serve France’s pre‑strategic deterrence role. The program is part of a broader effort to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank and to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent across Europe. Future updates will focus on technical progress, integration testing, and the eventual transition to operational status.
The ASN4G is designed to fly at hypersonic speeds, allowing it to outrun contemporary air‑defence systems and provide a “warning shot” before strategic ballistic missiles are launched. The missile will be integrated into France’s Strategic Air Forces (Forces Aériennes Stratégiques – FAS) and the Nuclear Naval Air Force (Force Aéronavale Nucléaire – FANu), positioning it as the next step in France’s pre‑strategic deterrence posture.
The ASMPA‑R, an upgraded version of the ASMPA that entered service in 2009, has already been tested twice: first in May 2024 with an inert warhead, then in November 2025 on a Marine Nationale Rafale M. It also took part in the March 2026 “Poker” nuclear exercise, demonstrating its continued relevance to France’s deterrent framework.
France’s decision to develop the ASN4G is part of a broader strategy to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank and support Ukraine. The government has earmarked €1.5 billion to reopen Luxeuil Air Base, a key facility for strategic air operations, and the hypersonic missile will help expand the country’s nuclear deterrent across Europe.
Technical details are still emerging. A DGA press release showed a test vehicle with a tall vertical stabilizer and two rocket boosters—identified as the Thémis technology demonstrator. While it is unclear whether Thémis represents the final production design, the image illustrates the use of a ramjet engine, a technology common to both the Camosis and Prométhée research programmes. Admiral Hervé de Bonnaventure explained to a parliamentary panel that the hypersonic option was chosen because high speed and maneuverability delay detection and complicate tracking and interception.
MBDA CEO Eric Béranger confirmed the notification from the DGA and stated that the ASN4G will be fielded by 2035 as France’s new airborne deterrence capacity. He added that the missile will be carried by the future Rafale F5 fighter, described as the ultimate weapon system that will ensure France’s sovereignty. Béranger highlighted the advanced technology involved, noting that only a small group of countries possess hypersonic launch capabilities.
The ASN4G program is expected to deliver a missile with more than twice the range of the current ASMPA‑R, exceeding 1 000 km. The program remains in the development phase, with no operational deployment yet. Key milestones will include further testing of the scramjet engine, integration trials with the Rafale platforms, and certification of the nuclear warhead. The French government has not yet announced a specific budget for the program beyond the DGA contract.
In summary, France has formally authorized the development of the ASN4G hypersonic nuclear missile, a project that will replace the ASMPA‑R in the 2035 timeframe. The missile will be integrated into the Rafale F5 and Rafale M aircraft and will serve France’s pre‑strategic deterrence role. The program is part of a broader effort to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank and to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent across Europe. Future updates will focus on technical progress, integration testing, and the eventual transition to operational status.
