France puts airborne nuclear force to the test in ‘Operation Poker’ drill

France’s Air and Space Force (AAE) carried out its latest “Operation Poker” nuclear-deterrence exercise during the night of September 23 to 24, 2025, activating a complex web of restricted and danger areas across French metropolitan airspace. 

According to an official airspace notice (SUP AIP 155/25), temporary zones were active from 19:45 local time on September 23 into the early hours of September 24, with a 24-hour postponement option if required.

The notice described a “national operation” involving flights at low, medium, and high altitudes, as well as air-to-air refueling, interceptions, and airborne detection missions. 

The designated zones spanned several control regions, including Brest, Bordeaux, Marseille, and Lyon. Over land, they were published as temporary restricted areas, while those extending beyond 12 nautical miles from the coast were classified as temporary danger areas. 

POKER | 2025-03[MAJ H+2.75]1/3Le raid arrive désormais en Méditerranée pendant que les RED se mettent en place… Décollage de 5 MRTT. Les premiers chasseurs en BA devraient arriver d’ici peu. Tandis que les chasseurs porteurs de l’arme sont attendus un peu plus… pic.twitter.com/iZgejVOJdn— Trackeur ADS-B (@TrackeurADSB) September 23, 2025

Operation Poker: Showing the teeth of France’s nuclear umbrella 

Established in 1964, France’s Strategic Air Forces (FAS) carry out Operation Poker about four times a year. The mission is a full rehearsal of a nuclear strike, beginning with long-range high-altitude transit and aerial refueling before moving into low-altitude, high-speed penetration of heavily defended airspace. 

At the heart of the strike package are Rafale B fighter jets equipped to simulate launches of the ASMP-A nuclear-capable missile. They are supported by A330 MRTT Phénix tankers providing aerial refueling and by E-3F Sentry AWACS aircraft ensuring command-and-control and airborne surveillance. Fighter escorts add another protective layer to the formation.

To make the scenario realistic, additional fighters act as aggressor aircraft, simulating enemy interceptors and forcing the strike package to penetrate a contested and defended environment.

The sequence culminates in a simulated launch of an ASMP-A nuclear-capable missile against the DGA’s missile test range. While no live warhead is carried, the exercise validates the operational and technical ability to deliver a strike and demonstrates to potential adversaries that French deterrence remains credible. 

Two legs of deterrence 

Operation Poker underscores the air component of France’s nuclear doctrine, which complements the oceanic leg provided by ballistic missile submarines. Together, they form the “force de dissuasion”, a posture France maintains independently of NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements. 

Earlier this year, President Emmanuel Macron reiterated that France’s nuclear deterrent is a national matter, although he has initiated discussions about how its umbrella contributes to European security more broadly. In March 2025, he stated France’s nuclear weapons could “be part of the European strategy,” while ruling out any transfer of operational control. The post France puts airborne nuclear force to the test in ‘Operation Poker’ drill appeared first on AeroTime.

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