France Launches Large-Scale Poker Nuclear Strike Exercise with 40 Fighter Jets.

The French Air and Space Force deployed around 40 aircraft during the Poker exercise from March 16 to 17, 2026, simulating a nuclear strike in contested airspace. The operation demonstrates France’s ability to execute coordinated deep strike missions and sustain a credible airborne nuclear deterrent under realistic threat conditions.

Conducted overnight as part of recurring Poker drills, the exercise involved Rafale fighter-bombers supported by aerial refueling and electronic warfare assets. The training focused on deep penetration, survivability, and mission coordination, reinforcing France’s readiness to deliver nuclear strike capability in a high-threat environment.
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A Rafale B flies alongside an A330 MRTT during the POKER 2026 strategic exercise. The aircraft is carrying a mock-up of the ASMPA-R supersonic nuclear cruise missile, as part of a mission designed to simulate a full nuclear strike profile. (Picture source: French MoD)

Poker, a recurring component of France’s nuclear deterrence posture, is designed to validate command and control chains, mission planning, and the operational readiness of dual-capable aircraft such as the Rafale. Officials have previously described the exercise as a full-spectrum rehearsal of France’s airborne nuclear capability, integrating escort, refueling, and electronic warfare elements.

At the core of the operation, Rafale B and Rafale C aircraft from the Strategic Air Forces (Forces aériennes stratégiques, FAS) carried out the primary mission. These multirole combat aircraft, powered by two Snecma M88 turbofan engines, combine supersonic speed with the ability to fly at very low altitude. Their RBE2 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar enables simultaneous detection and tracking of multiple targets at long range, while maintaining a degree of electromagnetic discretion. Within the Poker scenario, they simulated the carriage of the Air-Sol Moyenne Portée Amélioré (ASMPA-R) nuclear missile, a stand-off weapon with a range of several hundred kilometers and capable of sustained high-speed flight, combining low-altitude penetration with a high-speed terminal phase.

Range remains a central constraint for such missions. To address this, several Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Phénix aircraft were integrated into the strike package. This tanker can transfer tens of tons of fuel in flight and support multiple receivers simultaneously through underwing pods and a boom system. During the exercise, aerial refueling sequences were conducted at night, sometimes under low-visibility conditions, requiring precise flying and close coordination between crews. This capability allows Rafale aircraft to sustain mission profiles equivalent to a trans-European flight without reliance on forward basing.

Around this strike core, the command-and-control and surveillance architecture played a structuring role. E-3F Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft ensured airspace monitoring and tactical coordination of the air package. Their onboard radar, capable of covering several hundred kilometers, enables the detection of aerial threats and supports interception management or route adjustments. In parallel, the command post at Mont Verdun centralized sensor data and directed the operation in real time, adapting flight paths and priorities as the scenario evolved.

The exercise also incorporated a credible opposing force. Mirage 2000-5 and Rafale aircraft acted as “red air” to simulate interception threats, while ground-based air defense systems such as the SAMP/T (Surface-to-Air Missile Platform Terrain) replicated a dense surface-to-air environment. This system, capable of intercepting aircraft and ballistic targets at medium range, forced participating crews to refine avoidance and saturation tactics. Additional electromagnetic simulation systems reproduced the signatures of foreign air defense systems, creating conditions representative of a high-intensity contested theater.

Electronic warfare formed another central component. Jamming assets disrupted GPS signals, radio communications, and data links, requiring crews to operate in degraded modes. This imposed reliance on autonomous navigation techniques, strict communication discipline, and anticipation of critical mission phases. Despite these constraints, platforms remained connected through tactical data networks, allowing continuous sharing of the operational picture under contested conditions.

The mission relied on coordinated low-altitude flight, using terrain masking to reduce radar exposure. Rafale aircraft descended to very low levels, at times down to several tens of meters above ground, while maintaining high speed to limit vulnerability to surface-to-air threats. Aerial refueling occurred at key points to preserve mission coherence, while escort aircraft secured the penetration corridors. Simulated losses were introduced, forcing immediate reconfiguration of the formation and testing the resilience of the command structure.

Such exercises validate the ability to execute a complete nuclear strike profile under realistic conditions, including crew fatigue, communication complexity, and threat density. The combination of MRTT, Rafale, and ASMPA illustrates an architecture designed to ensure that at least part of the strike package reaches its launch point despite structured opposition.

In the current strategic environment, shaped by the war in Ukraine and broader uncertainties regarding European security, Poker extends beyond training. The controlled exposure of technical and operational capabilities contributes to maintaining the credibility of France’s nuclear deterrent. The gradual opening of these exercises to selected European partners points toward a more integrated approach, in which the airborne component could play a broader role in continental security, as outlined by President Emmanuel Macron in his speech at Île Longue, while preserving strict national control over nuclear decision-making.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.