France’s first Barracuda-class submarine enters service
Sébastien Lecornu boarding the new Barracuda-class submarine during the commissioning ceremony. (Photo: Sébastien Lecornu Twitter)
French Navy celebrates the first of its new Barracuda-class nuclear submarines entering service.
The French Navy’s first Barracuda-class submarine, Suffren, was commissioned into service on Friday 3 June. The ceremony was attended by the new Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, who had been appointed to the position in May.
Suffren was handed over to the French Navy in November 2020 to begin its final phase of testing. Now, the vessel has entered service following successful testing.
The Barracuda-class submarines will replace the existing Rubis-class and Amethyste-class and provide France with an enhanced sub-surface attack capability.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the programme experience significant delays relating to the development of a new nuclear reactor.
Work began on the first-of-class in 2007, however, the submarine was delayed and only launched in July 2019.
The first four vessels are now expected to be commissioned by 2025 and all six by 2030. The unit cost is now thought to be in excess of $2 billion each.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs]()
South Korea advances next-gen naval concepts for future force needs
HHI and Hanwha Ocean outline highly autonomous and unmanned-enabled designs as the ROKN explores force structure for the 2030s and beyond.
-
![US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026]()
US representatives plan to invest $1.6 billion in US Coast Guard inventory in FY2026
The FY26 Homeland Security Bill Markup of the House Committee on Appropriations included resources for the procurement of ships, aircraft and unmanned systems.
-
![US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs]()
US Navy seeks industry partners to address pressing research needs
The Office of Naval Research will host an Industry Engagement Day in August aiming at building new partnerships and advancing its science and technology initiatives in multiple areas.
-
![Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy]()
Raytheon awarded $1.2 billion in contracts for AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the US Navy
Under the most recent contract, the US Navy will receive four additional AN/SPY-6(V) radars, increasing the number of radars under contract to 42. The radars are considered key for expanding the navy’s capability for air defence.
-
![Royal Canadian Navy’s final Harry DeWolf-class vessel to be delivered this summer]()
Royal Canadian Navy’s final Harry DeWolf-class vessel to be delivered this summer
The sixth Canada’s Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship is currently at the final stages of construction within Irving Shipbuilding.
