S-2 Missile

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	Weapon: S-2 Missile Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: France Year Adopted: 1965 Overall Length (mm): 14000.0 Overall Length (in): 551.18 Weight (kg): 32000.00 Weight (pounds): 70547.92

The S-2 missile was France's first-generation land-based intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), developed as part of the country's independent nuclear deterrent program. Designed in the late 1950s and entering service in 1971, the S-2 was a two-stage, solid-fueled missile with a range of approximately 3,000 kilometers. It was designed to carry a single 150-kiloton nuclear warhead and was housed in hardened silos to ensure survivability against a first-strike attack. The missile's development marked a significant milestone in France's strategic defense capabilities, establishing the nation as a credible nuclear power outside of the U.S.-Soviet Cold War rivalry.

Production of the S-2 was relatively limited, with deployment restricted to France's Plateau d'Albion missile base in the southeastern part of the country. A total of 18 missiles were deployed in hardened silos, forming the backbone of France's land-based nuclear deterrent during the 1970s. The S-2's solid-fuel propulsion system provided improved readiness and faster launch capability compared to earlier liquid-fueled designs. Despite its relatively modest numbers, the S-2 played a crucial role in France's strategy of deterrence, reinforcing the nation's commitment to maintaining an independent nuclear force.

The S-2 missile remained in service until the early 1980s, when it was replaced by the more advanced S-3 missile, which featured greater range and improved warhead capabilities. While its operational tenure was relatively brief, the S-2 was instrumental in demonstrating France's ability to develop and field a domestically produced strategic missile system. Its deployment solidified France's nuclear triad and ensured that the country could maintain a second-strike capability. Today, the S-2 is remembered as a pioneering step in France's nuclear missile program, laying the groundwork for the nation's continued development of advanced strategic weapons.