France has fired a nuclear-capable missile as part of an exercise aimed at demonstrating the country's deterrent capability.

The drill came just days after the United States pulled out of a Cold War-era nuclear treaty with Russia.

The 11-hour mission involved a missile fired from a Rafale warplane and tested all phases of an attack, with French Air Force spokesman Colonel Cyrille Duvivier saying: "These real strikes are scheduled in the life of the weapons' system."

Key points: Simulated deterrent strike involved Rafale warplane

Simulated deterrent strike involved Rafale warplane Air Force says "real strikes are scheduled in the life of the weapons' system"

Air Force says "real strikes are scheduled in the life of the weapons' system" France maintains 300 nuclear weapons that can be deployed at sea or in the air

"They are carried out at fairly regular intervals, but remain rare because the real missile, without its warhead, is fired."

The ministry did not say when the test was carried out, and officials declined to say how often they took place.

The mission comes as Paris looks to ensure its long-term nuclear dissuasion program, with Europe increasingly worried about security as tensions rise between Washington and Moscow.

Paris is also concerned over North Korea's nuclear weapons program and Iran's ballistic missile capabilities.

France tested 210 nuclear warheads between 1960-1996. ( Flickr: Pierre J )

France spends about 3.5 billion euros ($5.5 billion) annually on maintaining its 300-strong submarine and air nuclear weapons stockpile.

It plans to modernise its capacity and spend 5 billion euros a year by 2020.

France first acquired nuclear weapons in 1960 and holds around 300 warheads that are able to be deployed by fighter jets or submarines.

This most recent strike simulation comes after Russia suspended the Cold War-era Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty following the US's announcement it would withdraw from the pact, accusing Moscow of violations.

The 32-year-old treaty required parties to destroy ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometres.

Some fear that Europe may become the site of another arms build-up between the US and Russia as a result.

ABC/Reuters