International

The French Armed Forces carried out a launch to test its new nuclear-capable Asmpa-R medium-range surface-to-air missile. This was reported by the television station "BfmTv", underlining that the missile did not have a nuclear charge.The launch took place from a Rafale during an operation called Durandal which reproduced real conditions and saw, in addition to the use of the fighter, A330 Phenix refueling planes. The launch responds to President Emmanuel Macron's desire "to maintain the operational credibility of the Armed Forces in the long term", the Ministry of Defense said. The Asmpa-R missile was designed by MBDA to refuel Rafale fighters.