France has put a new nuclear-capable missile into service as Russia claims advances in developing next-generation weapons amid tensions between NATO and Moscow.

The French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency announced on Tuesday that the third version of the M51 strategic ballistic missile , or M51.3, designed to be fired from nuclear-powered submarines , is operational and will replace the current two versions.

Newsweek has emailed both the Russian defense and foreign ministries for comment.

Why It Matters

France is one of three nuclear-armed NATO member states, along with the United States and the United Kingdom, and is estimated to possess about 290 nuclear warheads ready for use comprising submarine -launched ballistic missiles and air-launched cruise missiles.

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