1st Strategic Missile Group
The 1st Strategic Missile Group was a former French strategic nuclear-missile unit based on the Plateau d'Albion.
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Overview
The 1st Strategic Missile Group, formally the 1st Strategic Missiles Groupment (French: 1er Groupement de Missiles Stratégiques, or 1er GMS), was a former French strategic nuclear unit. It formed part of France's land-based contribution to the national nuclear deterrent during the Cold War, alongside the Navy's Redoutable-class ballistic-missile submarines and the Air Force's Mirage IV nuclear bombers. Established in September 1968, the group was located on the Plateau d'Albion in southeastern France. Its initial weapon was the S2 intermediate-range ballistic missile, deployed in a hardened silo complex. The group operated 18 S2 missiles distributed between two firing units, each comprising nine silos. The first firing unit was established in 1970 and the second in 1972. The system achieved operational readiness on 2 August 1971, making the group a central element of France's fixed, land-based nuclear force. The unit was linked operationally to Strategic Missile Brigade 05.200, created in May 1968. Its two firing units were organized as the Luberon Firing Squadron, initially designated Firing Squadron 01.200. The group entered a major modernization phase in the late 1970s. The first battery was removed from service in April 1978 to prepare for the replacement of the S2 missile by the improved S3 system. Infrastructure modernization began at the end of that year, and the first S3 missile was delivered on 23 May 1980. The upgraded battery reached operational readiness on 1 June 1980. In 1981, the Luberon squadron changed its designation from 01.200 to 02.394. A major institutional change occurred in 1985, when France transferred its land-based ballistic-missile force from the Army to the Air Force. Strategic Missile Brigade 05.200 became the 95th Strategic Missile Wing, while the Luberon firing squadron became Strategic Missile Squadron 01.095. The former Army site was redesignated Air Base 200 Apt-Saint-Christol. Security and support were provided by specialized formations, including Protection Squadron 21.200, a nuclear-site air-defense and security unit equipped with Crotale surface-to-air missiles, a nuclear, biological and chemical defense element, and the 04.067 Durance Helicopter Squadron. After the Cold War, changes in the European security environment, reductions in armed forces, and improvements in precision-guided weapons made the fixed missile installation increasingly vulnerable. The French government considered replacing the S3 with a land-based adaptation of the Navy's M5 strategic ballistic missile, but ultimately judged that option impractical. On 22 February 1996, President Jacques Chirac announced the dismantling of the S3 missiles and the closure of Air Base 200 Apt-Saint-Christol. The 1st Strategic Missile Group and the 04.067 Durance Helicopter Squadron were disbanded on 31 August 1998. Dismantling of the S3 missiles was completed in 1999. The group's historical importance lies in its role as France's principal fixed land-based nuclear missile formation during the period in which the French nuclear deterrent included a dedicated ground component.
History
The 1st Strategic Missile Group was created in September 1968 as the land-based missile element of France's developing nuclear deterrent. It was established on the Plateau d'Albion in southeastern France and operated under the Strategic Missile Brigade 05.200, which had been formed earlier in May 1968. The unit was equipped with 18 S2 intermediate-range ballistic missiles installed in hardened silos. These weapons were divided into two firing units of nine silos each, created in 1970 and 1972. The group attained operational status on 2 August 1971. The Plateau d'Albion complex was designed to provide a survivable, continuously available strategic capability. Its organization included missile operations, security, air defense, and specialized support. The Luberon Firing Squadron, initially designated 01.200, served as the operational formation for the two firing units. In 1981 it was redesignated 02.394. Protection arrangements included Protection Squadron 21.200, which operated Crotale surface-to-air missile systems and included parachute, support, mounted, and working-dog elements. Nuclear, biological and chemical defense capabilities and helicopter support were also provided at the base. The original S2 system was replaced by the S3. The first firing unit was taken out of service in April 1978, and modernization of the infrastructure began later that year. The first S3 missile was delivered on 23 May 1980, approximately three months later than the timetable established in 1973. The upgraded unit achieved operational readiness on 1 June 1980. This transition gave the group a newer generation of silo-based strategic missiles while preserving the basic fixed-site structure of the Plateau d'Albion force. In 1985, the French government transferred the land-based ballistic-missile component from the Army to the Air Force. The Strategic Missile Brigade 05.200 became the 95th Strategic Missile Wing, and the Luberon Firing Squadron became Strategic Missile Squadron 01.095. The installation itself was redesignated Air Base 200 Apt-Saint-Christol. The change reflected the Air Force's expanding responsibility for France's strategic nuclear aviation and missile formations. Following the end of the Cold War, the strategic rationale for the fixed missile complex weakened. Reductions in European military forces and advances in precision-guided weapons increased concern about the vulnerability of static missile silos. The French government examined replacing the S3 with a land-based version of the Navy's M5 strategic ballistic missile, but concluded that such a program was not practical. On 22 February 1996, President Jacques Chirac announced the retirement of the S3 force and closure of the base. The 1st Strategic Missile Group was disbanded on 31 August 1998, and dismantling of the S3 missiles was completed in 1999.
- 1999
S3 dismantling completed
[1]The dismantling of the S3 missile force was completed during the year.
- 1998
Disbandment
[1]The group was disbanded on 31 August 1998.
- 1996
Retirement and base closure announced
[1]On 22 February, President Jacques Chirac announced the dismantling of the S3 missiles and closure of Air Base 200 Apt-Saint-Christol.
- 1985
Transfer to the Air Force
[1]The land-based ballistic-missile force was transferred from the Army to the French Air Force and reorganized as part of the 95th Strategic Missile Wing.
- 1980
S3 enters operational service
[1]The first S3 missile was delivered on 23 May and the modernized battery became operational on 1 June.
- 1978
S2-to-S3 modernization begins
[1]The first battery was withdrawn from service in April and infrastructure modernization for the S3 system began later in the year.
- 1972
Second firing unit established
[1]A second nine-silo firing unit completed the group's planned 18-missile S2 structure.
- 1971
S2 operational readiness
[1]The group achieved operational readiness with its S2 missiles on 2 August 1971.
- 1970
First firing unit established
[1]The first nine-silo firing unit was formed as part of the group's 18-missile S2 deployment.
- 1968
Formation of the group
[1]The 1st Strategic Missile Group was formed in September 1968 on the Plateau d'Albion as the land-based element of France's nuclear triad.
Products and positioning
A military strategic deterrence formation rather than a commercial brand. Its role was to operate France's fixed, land-based nuclear ballistic-missile force on the Plateau d'Albion.
Intermediate-range ballistic missile · 1971
S2
The S2 was the group's original strategic missile. Eighteen missiles were deployed in hardened silos on the Plateau d'Albion, divided between two nine-silo firing units. The system reached operational readiness in August 1971 and formed the group's initial land-based contribution to the French nuclear deterrent.
Intermediate-range ballistic missile · 1980
S3
The S3 replaced the S2 as the group's principal missile system. Deployment required modernization of the Plateau d'Albion infrastructure. The first missile was delivered in May 1980 and the upgraded battery became operational in June. The S3 force was dismantled after France decided to close the fixed land-based missile complex.
Brand decisions
1996
Retirement of the S3 force and closure of the baseStrategyBackground
Post-Cold War force reductions and the increasing vulnerability of fixed missile silos led France to reassess the land-based component. A possible land-based version of the Navy's M5 missile was considered impractical.
Action taken
President Jacques Chirac announced on 22 February 1996 that the S3 missiles would be dismantled and Air Base 200 Apt-Saint-Christol would close.
Aftermath
The group was disbanded in 1998, and S3 dismantling was completed in 1999.
1985
Transfer of the land-based missile force to the Air ForceStrategyBackground
France reorganized responsibility for its strategic forces after operating the land-based missile component as an Army formation.
Action taken
The Strategic Missile Brigade became the 95th Strategic Missile Wing, and the Luberon firing squadron became Strategic Missile Squadron 01.095.
Aftermath
The Plateau d'Albion installation was redesignated Air Base 200 Apt-Saint-Christol and operated as an Air Force site.
1978
Replacement of S2 missiles with S3 missilesGeneration changeBackground
France decided to modernize the Plateau d'Albion missile complex and replace the group's original S2 missiles.
Action taken
The first firing unit was withdrawn in April 1978, infrastructure work began later that year, and the first S3 missile was delivered in May 1980.
Aftermath
The upgraded battery achieved operational readiness on 1 June 1980.
Sources1 sources
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