THE FRENCH NUCLEAR WEAPON PROGRAM

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0001478997
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 31
• Document Creation Date: June 22, 2015
• Document Release Date: March 21, 2008
• Case Number: F-2000-02088
• Publication Date: April 14, 1964

golP SECRET
Scientific intelligence Report
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
NO. rages ou
Copy No. 4
The French Nuclear Weapon Program
05I?SR/6.4-10
27 March 1964
APPROVED FOR RELEASE
DATE: MAR 2008
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Office of Scientific Intelligence
GROUP 1
Excluded from automatic
downgrading and
declassification
Ter SECRET
Scientific Intelligence Report
THE FRENCH NUCLEAR WEAPON PROGRAM
OSI?SR/64-10
27 March 1964
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE
\TOP V.CPET
PREFACE
France has demonstrated its ability to develop nuclear de-
vices and has stated its determination to establish a capability
in nuclear weapons. This paper summarizes French progress
toward this goal.
Information available as of 1 February 1964 has been con-
sidered in preparing this report.
xfr, SECRET
145/07
CONTENTS
Page
PREFACE
PROBLEM 1
CONCLUSIONS 1
SUMMARY 1
DISCUSSION 3
Introduction 3
Availability of Raw Materials 3
Uranium 3
Lithium 4
Available Research Facilities and Their Missions 4
Basic Research Facilities 5
Fontenay-aux-Roses 5
Saclay 5
Grenoble 5
Cadarache 5
Nuclear Weapons Research Facilities 5
Bruyeres-le-Chatel Laboratory 6
Vauj ours Laboratories 6
Limeil-Brevannes 6
Production of Special Materials 6
Plutonium 6
U-235 8
Tritium 9
Nuclear Weapon Tests 9
TABLES
1. Chronology of Uranium Availability 3
2. Cumulative Maximum Possible Plutonium Production 7
Tf:ff'--SFC-RFT
vi
jetrO CECPPT
FIGURES
Following page
1.
Map
Uranium Ore Deposits in Metropolitan France
4
2.
Chart
Treated Ore Tonnages
4
3.
Chart
CEA Uranium Production Statistics
4
4.
Photo
Shell of the G-2 Reactor
6
5.
Photo
General View of the G-2 and G-3 Installations
fbP SECRET
TCiP 5rrDpT
THE FRENCH NUCLEAR ENERGY PROGRAM
PROBLEM
To assess the French nuclear weapons program in terms of
available resources, production capacity, and testing facilities.
CONCLUSIONS
1. France has adequate natural resources,
research and development personnel and fa-
cilities, and industrial capacity (in being or
under construction) to support a nuclear
weapons program of considerable military and
political significance.
SUMMARY
The earliest indication of a reorientation of
French policy toward the development of nu-
clear weapons became evident in 1954, and
by 1956 a positive nuclear weapons research
and development program was noted to be
underway. The first French nuclear test oc-
curred at a test site near Reggan in the
French Sahara on 13 February 1960;
Comprehensive exploration has resulted in
the discovery of sizable deposits of uranium
ore in France and its territories, and mining
operations for exploiting these deposits started
in 1948. Production of uranium metal in
France appears to have been stabilized at
1,600 tons per year since achieving this pro-
duction rate in 1962.
Top 9P FT
1
The bulk of the basic nuclear research in
France is conducted at the four major re-
search installations of the French Atomic
Energy Commission located at Fontenay-aux-
Roses, Saclay, Grenoble, and Cadarache. Re-
search more specifically associated with nu-
clear weapons development is conducted at
the laboratories of the Division of Military
Application at Bruyeres-le-Chatel (weapons
application of plutonium technology), Vau-
jours (explosives research and high-explosive
lenses fabrication), and Lim.eil-Brevannes
(thermonuclear weapons research).
Construction of the French plutonium pro-
duction complex at Marcoule started in 1954,
and its first production reactor, G-1, began
operation in 1956. Two additional production
reactors, G-2 and G-3, plus a chemical proc-
essing plant and other associated facilities
now provide a production capacity of approxi-
mately 160 kilograms of weapon-grade plu-
tonium per year. The completion of the cur-
rently planned French nuclear electric power
program and of the chemical separations
plant at Cap de la Hague will provide addi-
tional capacity for weapon-grade plutonium
production, should it ever be needed.
A gaseous diffusion isotope separation plant
under construction at Pierrelatte is now sched-
uled to start production in late 1966 or early
1967.
in
addition to plutonium and enriched uranium,
France is considered capable of producing
tritium and any other special material re-
quired for its nuclear weapons program.
2
France has detonated a total of at least
nine nuclear fission
since February 1960
ra
After the fourth test (FR-4), France stated
that it would cease atmos ? heric tests in the
Sahara.
is eing crea es southeast of Tahiti in the
Tuamotu Archipelago in spite of political ob-
jections by various countries. This test site,
by French declarations, is to be completed in
1965 or 1966, but increasing technical and
political demands may force them to transfer
testing activities from the Sahara to the Pa-
cific area well in advance of that time. Dis-
tances involved will present a rather severe
logistical problem in supplying and conduct-
ing a test program at this site.
TCP crro ET
--T-EN2?SEGIREL
DISCUSSION
INTRODUCTION
France possesses the following prerequisites
for conducting a program to develop nuclear
weapons: (i) a proper incentive and a firm
determination to develop nuclear weapons;
(ii) an adequate and continuing supply of
necessary raw materials; (iii) the technical
competence and laboratory facilities for con-
ducting the necessary research; (iv) an indus-
trial base capable of providing the support
and complex equipment; and (v) adequate
means for financially supporting the many
phases of the program.
The French Atomic Energy Commission
(Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique?CEA)
was created by an official government ordi-
nance of 18 October 1945, which stated that
the Commission would be of a scientific, tech-
nical, and industrial nature. From 1945
until 1952, the CEA brought together the per-
sonnel, equipment, and materials needed to
lay the foundations for an atomic energy pro-
gram. In the period beginning in 1952, more
stress was placed on industrial development
and the production of fissionable materials.
In its early stages, the French nuclear
energy program was directed toward peaceful
uses, but about 1954, certain factions of the
French military were claiming that France
needed nuclear weapons to establish adequate
strength for national defense. France had
reached a point in its economic and techno-
logical advancement by 1956 whereby the
actual development of a nuclear weapon be-
came feasible. A research and development
program was initiated, and the first weapon
was detonated on 13 February 1960. A total
of 9 French nuclear tests have been con-
ducted through 20 October 1963.
AVAILABILITY OF RAW MATERIALS
One of the first tasks of the French CEA
was to effect a regular supply of raw materials
essential to the nuclear program. This re-
sponsibility has been established by several
laws that are stated so as to include all
materials, such as uranium, lithium, and
tritium. As a part of this effort, the Division
of Mineral Research and Exploitation (Direc-
tion des Recherches et Exploitations Min-
erals?DREM) was established for the express
purpose of systematic exploration in France,
as well as in other areas under French control.
Uranium
As a result of the systematic exploration
carried out by DREM, workable uranium de-
posits were discovered in France and its terri-
tories, and mining operations were started by
1948. Table 1 gives the chronology of the
results of efforts of DREM and of later de-
velopments.
Table 1
CHRONOLOGY OF URANIUM
AVAILABILITY
1946 The first exploration teams are sent
out (Lachaux, Grury, Madagascar,
Congo).
1948 The first French pitchblende deposit
is found at La Crouzille (Haute-
Vienne) .
1949 The first ton of uranium is obtained
from French ore.
TOP CECRET
3
TOP SECRET
CHRONOLOGY OF URANIUM
AVAILABILITY (Continued)
1951 The first deposits in Vendee are dis-
covered.
1953 Work is started on the deposit at "Bois
Noirs" (Loire). The first hundred
tons of uranium are produced.
Uranothorianite deposits are dis-
covered in Madagascar.
1955 The chemical concentration plant at
Gueugnon (Saone-et-Loire), is put
on stream.
1956 The Mounana strike (Gabon).
1957 The chemical concentration plant at
l'Ecarpiere (Loire-Atlantique), is
put into operation.
1958 The thousandth ton of uranium is
produced.
The chemical concentration plant at
Bessines (Haute-Vienne, is put on
stream.
1960 The chemical concentration plant in
the Forez startes operation.
NOTE?France is today the fourth-largest ura-
nium producer in the Western world.
Continued exploration and exploitation re-
sulted in the establishing of three Mining
Districts?Forez-Grury, la Crouzille, and Ven-
dee, with additional favorable regions in Brit-
tany and the Massif-Central. Other areas are
scheduled for exploitation when economically
feasible. These areas, with the facilities for
exploiting them, are shown in figure 1. As a
result of a sustained effort in exploration,
organization and technological development,
the CEA, assisted by private industry, has
placed France fourth among the uranium pro-
ducers of the Western world.
French uranium production, nonexistent in
1948, developed at a steadily increasing rate
from less than 50 tons per year in 1953 to
approximately 1,600 tons in 1962. It is ex-
pected that continued production will be
stabilized at this level. Figures 2 and 3 show
gross tonnage of ores processed and uranium
produced through the same period.
4
Lithium
While there is little information available
concerning lithium deposits within France,
...,ithium ores are in-
e I U.Ue U in 1111ilet c1,81 cuments recently con-
cluded between France and some former Afri-
can possessions.
The existence of a French facility for the
separation of lithium isotopes has not been
firmly established, although the need for such
facilities is apparent.
AVAILABLE RESEARCH FACILITIES AND THEIR
MISSIONS
The French CEA is responsible for all
French nuclear research. All of the basic re-
search and some of the more specifically mili-
TOP SECRET
Figure 1
METROPOLITAN FRANCE
URANIUM MINING ORE DISTRIBUTION
^ Treatment Plant (Concentration)
? Treatment Plant (Reducing)
A Mining
DIRECTION DES PRODUCTIONS- b.f.'
FONTE,NAY-AUX-ROSES C.E.A."
PRAT MERIEN
AA
BON OTE
?Census
LE BOU CHET
Strasbourg 0
GUEUGNON (
\?' AM
\BESSINES \ 1 Vichy 0
ii A MA /
\ 1"6------,-\ i
?----,,,c,A MAGA\ SIN
Limoges ---`ATE OE R VICHY ,
Lyon
CENTRAL r- ;
l, c7.---,,..."....,,,
?
ffgletons 0 ..-} f\--/
//St. PIERRE ri
rdeaux8:----% ,_)" DE CANTAL AA .
,,,, LES PIERRES
. i
PLANTEES
Toulouse
38424 1-64
TREATED
THOUSANDS OF TONS
900
Private
500
400
300
200
100
0
1954
1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960
38425 1-64
Commissariat 6 l'Energie Atoroique.
C. E A.* URANIUM
TONS OF CONTAINED URANIUM
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
R\
Uranium Contained in French Ores
Uranium in Physical Concentrates
of Madagascar Uranothorianite
Uranium in Chemical Market Concentrates
Total Contained Production
1948
1950 1952 1954 1956 1958 1960
38426 1-64
.
"CornaTissariat Ener_gre Atornique.
tary research is conducted at one of four re-
search centers located at Fontenay-aux-Roses,
Saclay, Grenoble, and Cadarache. Work of a
more specific nuclear weapons nature is con-
ducted at one of several laboratories under the
direction of the Division of Military Applica-
tions (Direction des Applications Militaires?
DAM) . These laboratories include: (i) Bru-
yeres-le-Chatel Laboratory (Centre d'Etudes
de Bruyeres-le-Chatel), Bruyeres-le-Chatel,
(ii) Vaujours Laboratories (Centre d'Etudes d
Vaujours), Vauj ours; and (iii) an unnamed
laboratory at Limeil-Brevannes.
BASIC RESEARCH FACILITIES
Fontenay-aux-Roses
The Fontenay-aux-Roses facility, which is
located just outside Paris, was the site of ZOE
(EL-1) , the first French reactor. About a
year from the date of first criticality, 15 De-
cember 1948, irradiated fuel elements from
this reactor were processed to provide French
scientists with their first pure plutonium salts,
and the first gram of plutonium metal was
produced in December 1955. This institute
continues to be the center of uranium and
plutonium metallurgical research in France.
Preliminary studies for a plutonium produc-
tion facility was begun here in July 1952 and
eventually led to the establishment of the
Marcoule complex. In addition to these
studies, the institute was responsible for
training personnel to staff the plutonium pro-
duction complex once it was completed.
Saclay
The most important research center of all
CEA laboratories is located at Saclay, near
Paris. Most of the research at this institute
is of a basic nature and not directly applicable
to the development of nuclear weapons. How-
ever, personnel of this institute have been
responsible for the basic research and pilot
plant operation leading to the construction of
the gaseous diffusion plant being built at
Pierrelatte.? Much of this research has now
been transferred to Pierrelatte.
Saclay is the center of basic research and
pilot plant operations related to production of
tritium, but few details are available concern-
ing this particular operation."' In addition
to the gaseous diffusion and tritium research,
the initial studies of land-based prototype re-
actors for submarine propulsion systems were
begun at Saclay but were subsequently trans-
ferred to Cadarache.
Grenoble
The research facility in Grenoble devotes
most of its research efforts to the develop-
ment of industrial applications of nuclear
energy, but it does provide additional training
for personnel working in the French nuclear
program.
Cadarache
The Cadarache facilities are the newest of
the CEA laboratories and probably will be-
come one of the most important with respect
to the development of the French nuclear
deterrent. Part of the plutonium research
from Fontenay-aux-Roses and the submarine
nuclear propulsion research from Saclay have
been transferred to Cadarache. AZUR, a sub-
critical assembly fueled with enriched U-235
furnished by the United States, is being used
for conducting preliminary studies prior to
completion of the land-based prototype sub-
marine reactor under construction at this in-
stitute.
NUCLEAR WEAPONS RESEARCH FACILITIES
The French decision to base their initial
nuclear weapon capability on an all-plutonium
system was necessitated by their lack of U-235
and by their desire to achieve a token capabil-
ity at the earliest possible date. Although
initial weapons research was conducted at
Fontenay-aux-Roses and at Saclay the work
today is conducted at special laboratories con-
trolled by the DAM.
TQP SECRET
5
Bruyeres-le-Chatel Laboratory
This research center, known as Centre
d'Etudes de Bruyeres-le-Chatel but often re-
ferred to as Establishment "B," is located
about 3 miles west of Arpa,jon, Seine-et-Oise.
It probably is the most important of all French
nuclear weapons research facilities.
Vauj ours Laboratories
These laboratories (Centre d'Etudes a Vau-
jours) are in the northern suburbs of Paris
and have long been associated with conven-
tional explosives research.
Limeil-Brevannes
An unnamed laboratory frequently referred
to as the CEA laboratory at Villeneuve St.
Georges is located in this area south of Paris.
This was formerly a French Army laboratory
responsible for munitions desi n and fabrica-
tion.
6
PRODUCTION OF SPECIAL MATERIALS
Plutonium
The initial plutonium research in France
was conducted at Fontenay-aux-Roses. The
irradiated fuel from EL-1 (ZOE), the first
French research reactor (critical, late 1948),
was processed and a few milligrams of pure
plutonium salt were obtained in 1950. The
Saint-Gobain Nuclear Company was author-
ized in 1951 to construct a pilot plant at Fon-
tenay-aux-Roses for extracting plutonium
from irradiated uranium.13 The plant was
finished in 1954, and by late December 1955,
1 gram of plutonium had been extracted from
the irradiated fuel from ZOE.
The decision was made in 1952 to proceed
with plutonium production. The first 5-year
plan provided for the establishment of a large
plutonium production center. Preliminary
studies were made, and actual construction
began in 1954 at the facility at Marcoule, in
the Rhone Valley near Avignon. The major
facilities at the Marcoule complex include
three natural-uranium, graphite-moderated,
gas-cooled reactors, and a chemical separation
plant. The reactors were designed primarily
for the production of plutonium with small
amounts of electric power as a byproduct.
The first of these reactors (G-1), a 40
thermal megawatt air-cooled reactor, went
into operation on 7 January 1956. Because
of technical difficulties this reactor has never
reached designed power.
The second and third reactors (G-2 and
G-3) are identical in design and went into
operation in mid-July 1958 and 1959, respec-
tively. (See figures 4 and 5.) These were
designed as 200 thermal megawatt, carbon-
dioxide-cooled reactors and initially operated
at a power level of 150 thermal megawatts,
but they proved to be over-designed so that by
the end of 1962, they were operating at a 250
thermal megawatt level.
?T441?SECEEL
Figure.4. Shell of the G2 Reactor
38427 1-64
38428 1-64
Figure 5. General view of the G2 and G3 Installations
Saint-Gobain Nuclear Company began con-
structing the Chemical Separation Plant at
Marcoule in 1955. The plant was a Purex-
type, solvent-extraction plant using tributyl
phosphate as a solvent and nitric acid as the
desalting agent. The plutonium was recov-
ered as an oxalate and reduced to the metal
in an adjacent reduction facility.
Additional plutonium could be obtained
from their nuclear power reactors, if needed
by the French nuclear weapons program.
Four power reactors with a total thermal
power of approximately 2,460 megawatts are
scheduled for completion by mid-1965. Three
of these reactors, EDF-1, EDF-2, and EDF-3
are natural-uranium, graphite-moderated, car-
bon-dioxide-cooled reactors being built at
Chinon. The fourth reactor, EL-4, is a heavy-
water reactor under construction at Monts
d'Arree and is scheduled for completion by the
Aend of 1965.
Table 2
Cumulative Maximum Possible Plutonium Production*
REACTOR
MEGA-
WATTS
THERMAL)
POSSIBLE PRODUCTION (KILOGRAMS)
Mid-61
Marcoule Plutonium Production
Complex:
G-1 40 40
0-2 **250 93
G-3 **250 48
Total 540 181
French Power Reactor:***
EDF-1 Chinon 300 Start-up
1962
EDF-2, Chinon 700 Start-up
1963
EDF-3 1,200 Start-up
1965
EL-4, Monts d'Arree 260 Start-up
1964-65
Total 2,460
Total production possible . . 3,000 181
* Metal available for fabrication.
** G-1 and G-2 operating at 250 MWTh, more than 20 percent above the design level of 200 MWTh.
***
TCP c Er R,Fj-
7
Tna SR-RFT
Additional plutonium sepch LIVIA 1 al.,111 LUGO
are under construction at Cap de la Hague.
This facility and that at Marcoule will have an
ample capacity for processing all fuel ele-
ments from the production reactors and from
the power reactors. In addition to this the
Cap de la Hague facility will be able to handle
special-type fuel elements that cannot be
handled at Marcoule.
U-235
Even though France decided to go the
"plutonium route" to achieve an early nuclear
capability, they were aware of the limitations
that such a decision would place on their
program. Even before their first production
reactor, G-1, was completed they started a
program of basic research directed toward de-
veloping an isotope separation system.
Research on isotope separation was initiated
at Saclay by 1955, and in 1957, construction
was started on the first of two pilot plant
facilities. This was a 12-stage installation
and was used to test various gaseous diffusion
barriers. The second pilot plant was in oper-
ation by 1958. These two plants provided op-
erating experience and data required for the
design of large production-scale cascades and
equipment, including compressors, diffusers,
analytical devices, and instrumentation, as
well as corrosion and other necessary data.
The isotope separation research led to the de-
velopment of three barrier materials, sintered
alumina, sintered nickel, and teflon. It is not
known which, if any, of these types is to be
employed in their production facilities.
8
At the second International Conference on
Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva, 1958,
French scientists reported on their work on
gaseous diffusion isotope separation. Follow-
ing this conference, well-qualified western sci-
entists visited Saclay and saw some of this
work.
In 1958, the French indicated a schedule for
completion of the gaseous diffusion plant and
operational production by 1962-63.
TOP SECRET
Tritium
There has been little evidence of French pro-
duction of tritium although we know they are
aware of its importance and of their need for
it. An adequate supply of tritium is desirable,
if not essential, for the production of a wide
variety of nuclear and thermonuclear weap-
ons.
Most French tritium research has been for
the purpose of developing production and
purification techniques. They use a standard
approach of irradiating lithium-aluminum al-
loys and then recovering the tritium produced.
The production reactors at Marcouie are
being used for irradiating lithium-aluminum
alloys for the production of tritium according
to the reaction:
3Li6+ on,---41H3+2He4
Just which reactors are being, used is not
known. However, the heavy-water reactor
(EL.-4), under construction in Brittany, could
better be used for this purpose. Any such
use of this reactor would be limited as long
as U.S.-provided heavy water is being used.
NUCLEAR WEAPON TESTS
To date the French have tested at least nine
nuclear devices in the Algerian Sahara test
area. Four of these were atmospheric tests
at the Reggan site and at least five others
were underground tests near In Eker.
The first French nuclear test, FR-1, was
conducted on 13 February 1960 at the Reggan
site
FR-2, the second test, on 1 April 1960 at
Reggan (26?00'N, 0?36'E), was a surface burst
9
FR-3, the third
es
occurre
FR-4, the fourth French nuclear test, was
detonated on 25 April 1961 at a site near
Reggan
10
With the conclusion of FR-4, the French
announced that they would conduct no more
atmospheric tests in the Sahara area, and to
our knowledge have abided by this announce-
ment.
FR-5, the fifth French nuclear test, was
detonated on 7 November 1961 at a site near
In Eker
FR-6, the sixth test, was a 25- to 50-kiloton
underground shot on 1 May 1962.
FR-6 was e as renc es
the Sahara prior to the ratification of the
Evian Accords. One provision of these ac-
cords was that France could continue to use
the Sahara test area for a period of 5 years
after the effective date of July 1962.
FR-7, the seventh test and the first to be
conducted after the ratification of the Evian
TOP SECRET
--71-8.12-4AGREL.
Accords, was detonated on 18 March 1963 at
a site near In Eker
FR-8 was an underground shot an 30
March 1963. It was detonated at In Eker
FR-9, the ninth detected French test, was
detonated at In Eker
The French now have under construction a
new test site in the Pacific. The area chosen
is in the Tuamotu Archipelago southeast of
Tahiti. The Mururoa atoll has been indicated
as being the forward base for the site while
Papeete, Tahiti, is to serve as the rear supply
and support base. An international-type air-
port is to be constructed on Hao, and an auxil-
iary air strip is to be located on Anaa. Mag-
-TOP QCPFT
11
areva, in the Gambier Islands, probably will
also be involved in test site activity.
The French will encounter two major prob-
lems in using the Tuamotu area as a test site.
The problem of logistics will be a significant
item in the increasing cost of their nuclear
weapons program, but will be a matter of
national concern only. The second, and prob-
ably more difficult problem is that of political
objection. Australia, New Zealand, and Chile
12
have already officially objected to the estab-
lishment of this test site. The only French
reactions to these objections have been assur-
ances fo the respective governments that there
would be no dangers imposed on their terri-
tories, and that sufficient warnings would be
provided prior to any test. Of course, politi-
cal considerations will become far more im-
portant now that a test ban treaty between
the United States, the United Kingdom, and
the USSR has become a reality.
TOP SECRET
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