How Many Nukes Does France Have?

How many nuclear warheads France holds, what carries them, and its test and treaty record, as of early 2026. Two independent counts (FAS and SIPRI) are shown side by side, every figure cited.

By Marko Visic, BSc Physics

France has an estimated 370 nuclear warheads as of early 2026 (FAS). 280 are deployed on strategic launchers, and 290 are in the military stockpile. Up to 80 more are retired and awaiting dismantlement. SIPRI’s January 2026 count matches.^{[1, 2]}

Warhead count

FAS and SIPRI are compiled by the same analysts and agree on the totals; they split the categories slightly differently. Retired warheads are awaiting dismantlement and are not part of the reserve.

FAS (beginning of 2026 (FAS page updated 2026-06-09))

Deployed (strategic)	280
Reserve / nondeployed	10
Military stockpile	290
Retired, awaiting dismantlement	up to 80
Total inventory	370

SIPRI (January 2026 (SIPRI Yearbook 2026, Table 8A.1))

Deployed	280
Stored (nondeployed)	10
Military stockpile	290
Retired, awaiting dismantlement	80
Total inventory	370

Terms: deployed = on missiles or at bomber bases; reserve / stored = non-deployed but in the stockpile; military stockpile = deployed + reserve; retired = withdrawn, awaiting dismantlement; total inventory = stockpile + retired.^{[1, 2]}

How France delivers them

Delivery systems from the latest Nuclear Notebook / SIPRI table (January 2026 (SIPRI Yearbook 2026, Table 8A.5)). A “?” or a dash is the source’s own mark of an uncertain or unstated figure.^[2]

System	Type	Launchers	Per launcher	Warhead × yield	Weapons	Year	Warheads
Rafale BF3/4	land-based aircraft	40			ASMPA-R/1 x [<300 kt] TNA		40
Rafale MF3/4	carrier-based aircraft	10			ASMPA-R/1 x [<300 kt] TNA		10
Subtotal		64					240
M51.2	SLBM	32	4–6	4–6 x 150 kt TNO			160
M51.3	SLBM	16	4–6	4–6 x 150 kt TNO-2		[2026]	[80]

80 retired awaiting dismantlement; total inventory 370^[2]
four Triomphant-class SSBNs^[10]
48 SLBMs, enough for three operational SSBNs^[10]
16 M51-type SLBMs per submarine^[10]
three of four SSBNs upgraded to M51.2 with TNO (as of 2024)^[10]
approximately 40 nuclear-capable Rafale BF3^[10]
10 Rafale Marine (MF3) for nuclear strike^[10]
54 ASMPAs produced (incl. flight-test rounds)^[10]

Blast radius of France’s warheads

For each distinct warhead yield in France’s arsenal, the air-burst 5 psi (most homes destroyed) and 3rd-degree-burn radii, calculated by the same engine as the blast radius calculator.^{[3, 4]}

Yield	5 psi radius	3rd-degree burns	Links
150 kt	2.1 mi (3.3 km)	3.5 mi (5.6 km)	chart

France’s nuclear tests

Total: 210^[5]
First name date: Gerboise bleue, 1960-02-13^[6]
First yield: 70^[6]
First site: Saharan Military Experiments Centre near Reggane, French Algeria^[7]
Last: 1996-01-27, Moruroa and Fangataufa Atoll test site^[5]
End announced: 1996-01-28^[5]

Treaty status

NPT: party (nuclear-weapon state); accession 1992-08-03^[8]
CTBT: signed 1996-09-24; ratified 1998-04-06^[9]
CTBT first nws ratifier: first nuclear-weapon state to ratify (with the UK, April 1998)^[5]

Frequently asked questions

How many nuclear weapons does France have?

France has an estimated 370 nuclear warheads as of early 2026, according to the Federation of American Scientists. SIPRI’s January 2026 count is the same.^[1]

When did France first test a nuclear weapon?

France’s first nuclear test is recorded as Gerboise bleue, 1960-02-13.^[6]

Is France part of the Non-Proliferation Treaty?

On the Non-Proliferation Treaty, France is: party (nuclear-weapon state); accession 1992-08-03.^[8]

Every figure on this page comes from a verified primary source, cited inline and listed below. Warhead counts are the Federation of American Scientists’ Status of World Nuclear Forces and SIPRI’s Yearbook; delivery systems come from the Nuclear Notebook; blast radii are calculated from Glasstone & Dolan scaling laws. Candidate and unverified figures are withheld.

Data as of 22 October 2026. By Marko Visic, BSc Physics.

Sources

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