Pluton

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	Weapon: Pluton Type: Rocket Artillery Country of Origin: France Year Adopted: 1974 Caliber: 25 Kt Warhead Action: Tactical Ballistic Missile Overall Length (mm): 7640.0 Overall Length (in): 300.79 Weight (kg): 2423.00 Weight (pounds): 5341.8 Effective Range (km): 120 Effective Range (miles): 74.56

The Pluton missile was a French tactical nuclear missile system developed during the Cold War to provide battlefield nuclear strike capability for the French Army. Introduced in 1974, the missile was a short-range, road-mobile system designed to be launched from a specialized AMX-30 tank chassis. The Pluton had a range of approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) and carried a single nuclear warhead with an estimated yield of 15 to 25 kilotons. Its primary purpose was to serve as a deterrent against Soviet aggression in Europe, offering a flexible and rapid response option for the French military.

France produced around 100 Pluton missiles, deploying them in five artillery regiments strategically stationed across the country. Each regiment operated several mobile launchers, ensuring that the system could be dispersed and repositioned quickly in case of a crisis. The missile system was considered relatively advanced for its time, featuring an inertial guidance system that provided moderate accuracy. However, its relatively short range was a limiting factor, as it required launchers to be positioned dangerously close to enemy lines, increasing vulnerability to counterattacks.

The Pluton remained in service until the early 1990s, when it was replaced by the more advanced Hades missile, which featured greater range and improved targeting capabilities. Although it was never used in combat, the Pluton played a significant role in France's nuclear doctrine by reinforcing its policy of deterrence and demonstrating its capability for independent nuclear action. Its legacy endures as an important step in France's development of modern missile technology and as a key component of the country's Cold War military strategy.