Naval Group has transferred the fifth Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine being constructed for the French Navy out of the company’s Cherbourg shipyard to undergo pre-launch fitting and field tests.
The event marks a major step in an early 2000s program initiated by the French defense procurement agency to replace the force’s legacy 1980s-era undersea fleet.
French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin attended the rollout, the Rubis (S639), as workers moved the hull onto a specialized floating platform.
Following final systems integration and nuclear reactor power-up, the submarine will complete harbor and sea trials before its formal handover.
Six Suffrens by 2030
The NATO country’s Barracuda fleet construction, also called the Suffren-class program, covers six vessels that are all set to be operational by the end of the decade.
Assembly for the final submarine, the Casabianca, is now underway, targeting a 2028 launch and entry into service by 2029.
State-controlled Naval Group has already delivered four submarines since November 2020, most recently handing over the series’ latest ship, the De Grasse (S638), in June 2026.
The effort relies on about 10,000 workers, 3,000 direct jobs, and hundreds of domestic industry partners.
“This crucial milestone comes just 17 months after that of the nuclear attack submarine De Grasse, a symbol of our commitment to our customers,” Naval Group CEO and Chairman Pierre Éric Pommellet remarked at the Cherbourg ceremony.
“In an extremely challenging operational environment, manufacturers must rise to the occasion to deliver to sailors the ships they need. This event is also an opportunity to recognize the integrated teamwork with the [defense procurement agency], our partners, and the crew — the foundation of our collective success.”
The Barracuda Submarine
France’s Barracuda subsurface combatant features an X-shaped stern rudder and enhanced acoustic isolation to increase stealth and maneuverability in support of land-attack, intelligence gathering, and other covert missions.
In addition to lethality, the vessel deploys troops for special operations using a dry deck shelter.
The ship measures 100 meters (328 feet) long, has a beam of 9 meters (30 feet), and can carry up to 60 personnel.
It is supported by a 200,000-horsepower K15 nuclear reactor, coupled with twin 13,000-horsepower turbo generators, two 640-horsepower emergency diesel generators, and an electric pumpjet.
Barracuda is equipped with an advanced communications suite, weapon systems support, navigation, and countermeasures.
For its firepower, the submarine is designed with 533mm torpedo tubes capable of launching F21 heavy-weight torpedoes, MdCN land-attack missiles, Exocet anti-ship missiles, FG29 subsurface mines, and D-19T unmanned underwater vehicles.
The system reaches a maximum speed of 25 knots (29 miles/46 kilometers per hour), covers over 350 meters (1,148 feet) of depth, and has a 70-day operational endurance.