In France, the first new generation Barracuda-class multirole nuclear submarine “Suffren” was officially commissioned.

This was announced by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

The ceremony took place at the Brest base on the occasion of the submarine’s entry into service, which was visited by the new French Minister of Defense Sébastien Lecornu.

Six Barracuda multirole submarines are to replace in the French Navy the Rubi-class submarines built in the 1980s.

In 2006, the French government signed a contract with DCNS (now Naval Group) worth about 8 billion euros.

The class leader submarine “Suffren” was laid down in December 2007 and was planned for being commissioned in 2016, but due to various problems, the construction timing had to be revised repeatedly.

The launch took place in August 2019. The submarine testing began in late April 2020 on the coast of Cherbourg. In November of that year, the Suffren was handed over to the French Navy. From that moment on, the submarine was in trial operation and is now fully ready for operational tasks.

By the end of 2022, the French Navy will receive the second Barracuda-class submarine, the Duguay-Trouin, which was laid down in June 2009. However, it will be officially adopted only in 2023.

Three more Barracuda-class submarines are at different stages of construction, and the last submarine has not yet been laid down. Its construction will be completed at the turn of 2029-2030.

Submerged displacement of Barracuda-class submarines – 5,100 tons (surface – 4,700 tons), hull length – 99 meters, beam – 8.8 meters.

The submarine is armed with 533-mm F21 torpedoes, anti-ship SM-39 missiles and Naval SCALP cruise missiles designed to destroy coastal infrastructure.

The maximum immersion depth is more than 350 meters, the underwater speed is more than 25 knots. Autonomy – 70 days. Complement – 63 people. There are also up to 15 fighters on board.