The French Naval Group has launched SNA Suffren, the first of 6 nuclear submarines for the French Navy. The black steel submarine was launched at a ceremony in the northern port of Cherbourg on 12-July-2019. SNA Suffren, the first of the Barracuda-class series, is a highly complex vessel that was built using a modular system. They are designed to replace the French Navy’s aging fleet of Rubis-class submarines that were built in the 1980s as part of France’s Cold War defense forces.
An order for a sixth Barracuda-class submarine was formally announced at the SNA Suffren‘s launching ceremony. The names of the first 5 submarines would be: Duguay Trouin, Tourville, De Grasse, Rubis, and Casabianca. The first 4 submarines are to be delivered by 2025 to begin the gradual replacement of the French Navy’s existing submarines over the next decade.
The Naval Group is the overall prime contractor of the submarine’s architecture and TechnicAtome is the prime contractor for the nuclear reactor. The construction of the SNA Suffren is a collective accomplishment, the result of a robust cooperation with long-standing partners: the French Navy, the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), the Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA), TechnicAtome, and all the manufacturers of the sector.
SNA Suffren is a modern attack submarine with a high degree of stealth. “When combined with her advanced detection capabilities, it guarantees acoustic superiority,” says Naval Group. The Barracuda-class is much stealthier than its predecessor due to its propeller pump, instead of the conventional screw. It has improved general acoustics, increased maximum silent speed, and better maneuverability. Its optronic periscope masts don’t penetrate the hull and are equipped with high-definition daytime cameras, infrared, and light intensification instead of a thread of prisms and lenses. A high level of automation also allows the submarine to be controlled from just two workstations.
Costing about €9.9 billion (US$11.1 billion) excluding maintenance, the Barracuda-class sub is 326 ft (99.5 m) long, 29 ft (8.8 m) in diameter, with a surface displacement of 4,765 tons, and a diving displacement of 5,300 tons. Nuclear powered, it runs on a 150-MW K15 reactor with propulsion provided by a steam/electric hybrid propulsion system, giving it a submerged speed over 25 kt (29 mph, 46 km/h), an unlimited range and underwater diving time to depths of over 1,000 ft (300 m). Actual mission has a 70-day endurance time based on food supplies for 60 crew plus a commando force, much longer than the 45-day endurance time of the Rubis-class submarine.
For armaments, along with its increased standard armament of Exocet SM39 Block2 anti-ship missiles, F21 Artemis heavy wire-guided torpedoes, and FG29 mines, the Barracudas are armed with MDCN SCALP Naval missiles, providing the French Navy with an inland deep-strike capability for the first time.
For the underwater deployment of commandos, mini-submarines and drones, the Barracudas have a divers’ hatch for the deployment of Special Forces underwater, and the ability to ship a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS). This supports the primary mission of the Barracudas, which is to safeguard the seagoing French nuclear deterrent, specifically, the 4 nuclear missile submarines and the aircraft carrier, Charles Degaulle. They will perform sea patrolling, naval escorting, and diving reconnaissance missions.
SNA Suffren is slated to start sea trials in July, and arrive in Toulon, France before the summer of 2020.
References:
- The Maritime Executive. “First Barracuda-Class Submarine Launched for France,” 13-July-2019.
- Szondy, David. “France launches its first Barracuda class nuclear attack submarine,” New Atlas, 18-July-2019.
- Sprenger, Sebastian. “France launches first Barracuda-class nuclear attack sub,” Defense News, 12-July-2019.
