Naval Group has delivered “Tourville,” the third Suffren-class nuclear attack submarine, to the French General Directorate of Armaments (DGA).
The DGA partnered with the Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission to replace the French Navy’s aging Rubis-class nuclear attack submarines with a fleet of six Suffren-class vessels under the Barracuda program.
The Tourville was first rolled out in July 2023 and began its maiden sea trials a year later to verify its technical and operational capabilities before delivery to the French Navy.
Suffren-class Vessels
The defense company delivered the lead boat, also named “Suffren,” in 2020 to the French Navy.
Meanwhile, the second nuclear attack submarine, “Duguay-Trouin,” was delivered in 2023.
After the delivery of Tourville, the remaining three submarines, namely “De Grasse,” “Rubis,” and “Casabianca” are currently under construction in various stages at the company’s Cherbourg facility.
De Grasse will be transferred to the launching facility in spring 2025.
Specifications
Naval Group is responsible for the Barracuda program submarines, including their design, construction, logistical support, and maintenance services based in Toulon.
It has also collaborated with nuclear engineering and power company TechnicAtome for the manufacturing of key components in nuclear boilers.
Each submarine has a surface displacement of 4,700 tons and a submerged displacement of 5,200 tons.
It is powered by hybrid propulsion and armed with naval cruise missiles, F21 heavy wire-guided torpedoes, and the modernized Exocet SM39 anti-ship missile.
Measuring 99 meters (325 feet) long and 8.8 meters (29 feet) wide, the vessel can accommodate 65 crew members plus commandos.
