In a striking demonstration of advanced military capability, the French Navy recently achieved a significant milestone in maritime warfare.

Last week, the French frigate Aquitaine and a Suffren-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, while operating 400 kilometers apart, near Quimper and Biscarosse respectively, successfully conducted a simultaneous land-attack on a target using the domestically developed MdCN (Missile de Croisière Naval).

This event marks the first time that coordinated cruise missile strikes from both a surface ship and a submarine have hit the same target, suggesting a new chapter in naval strategy and an increase in European naval power projection.

This synchronized assault is more than just a technical achievement; it illustrates a complex strategy that could potentially overwhelm adversary defenses in a high-intensity conflict. The French Navy’s statement to Defense News pointed out that coordinating missile strikes from different platforms significantly raises the chance of a successful hit on defended targets.

Expert analysis from Nick Childs, senior fellow for Naval Forces and Maritime Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, underscores the tactical implications: “Being able to carry out strikes from different platforms in different locations at the same time complicates the air-defense challenge for the opponent.”

However, the true potential to saturate air defenses relies on the number of missiles that can be launched and the sophistication of the defense systems they are targeting.

This operational leap forward reflects a broader trend in European military thinking. Sebastian Bruns, a senior researcher at the Institute for Security Policy Kiel University (ISPK), remarked that the exercise demonstrates a “capability demonstrator” that both validates the technology and serves as a signal to adversaries that land attack from the sea is entering the scope of the possible for European navies.

The MdCN, France’s homegrown response to the U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile, produced by pan-European missile manufacturer MBDA, became operational in 2017 and saw its first use in French military action against Syria in 2018.

With a range of about 1,000 kilometers and a speed of approximately 1,000 kilometers per hour, the MdCN provides the French Navy with a long-range striking option that Childs believes gives France operational advantages and more strategic options, even if it may not be a complete game-changer.

The practical implications of this technology are significant. The French Armed Forces Ministry highlighted that the MdCN’s range allows for the imposition of a military threat from the onset of a crisis, influencing the will of competitors. The use of this missile from submarines is particularly noteworthy for its discretion, adding a layer of stealth to French naval power.

Notably, the French Navy is not alone in seeking to enhance its strike capabilities. The U.K. Royal Navy is also preparing to incorporate similar capabilities with its Type-26 frigates anticipated to launch cruise missiles. This comes after the U.K.’s Trafalgar-class submarine Triumph employed Tomahawk missiles during Operation Ellamy in Libya in 2011.

Additionally, there are plans for the Netherlands to arm its four Zeven Provinciën-class frigates and future air-defense frigates and submarines with Tomahawk missiles during maintenance periods between 2025 and 2029, which will endow the Dutch navy with a capability it currently lacks.

The realm of missile coordination is an active field of research, indicating the global strategic importance of these systems. A Google Scholar search reveals numerous studies from 2023 onward, including sophisticated algorithms for missile-flight planning, a substantial portion of which are from Chinese research institutes and companies.

France’s successful demonstration goes beyond a show of technological prowess; it reflects an evolving geopolitical landscape where naval power and the ability to project force from the sea are increasingly critical components of national security.

As the global order shifts and new threats emerge, this dual launch event serves as a harbinger of the enhanced naval capabilities that will define the future of maritime strategy and international power dynamics.