France’s third Suffren-class submarine embarked on its maiden sea voyage last week.
Developed under the Barracuda program, the Tourville’s sea trials are scheduled to last until the end of 2024, followed by delivery to the French Navy.
The tests are being conducted by the navy in collaboration with the Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA) in partnership with the industry.
The French defense procurement agency is managing the trials.
Manufacturer Naval Group rolled out the nuclear attack underwater vessel in July last year, which was followed by completion work and dockside trials.
Trials
The initial stage will be held in the Channel, followed by the vessel’s return to the basin in Cherbourg.
Thereafter, it will set sail to the Atlantic for the second stage.
“All of these sea trials will be conducted by the submarine’s crew and according to a schedule set by engineers and technicians from the [defense procurement agency], the CEA’s Military Applications Directorate, Naval Group and TechnicAtome,” the ministry stated.
“Their objective is to progressively verify all of the submarine’s technical and operational capabilities.”
The Barracuda Program
The program’s initial pair, the Suffren and Duguay-Trouin, were commissioned in the French Navy in June 2022 and April 2024, respectively.
The rest of the three vessels are undergoing construction, with delivery scheduled by 2030.
The Suffren-class will replace the Rubis-class of nuclear attack submarines, commissioned in the 1980s.
Like its predecessors, the new class features nuclear propulsion. It is faster, more durable, and more versatile than the Rubis-class.
Among other upgrades, it is capable of accommodating a crew of 63 special forces personnel and is armed with an MBDA Naval Cruise Missile, Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles, and Naval Group’s F21 heavyweight torpedoes.