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
-
![US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo]()
US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo
Designed as an anti-torpedo and anti-submarine capability, the USN and RTX foresee the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon’s potential for deployment from surface ships and aerial and uncrewed platforms.
-
![European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026]()
European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026
France, Germany and Italy lead the way on unawarded naval defence opportunities that could be awarded this year, but across Europe countries are ramping up their spending efforts to face geopolitical challenges.
-
![RTX Raytheon targets nearly 170% RAM production increase to meet global demand]()
RTX Raytheon targets nearly 170% RAM production increase to meet global demand
The US multinational company is currently assembling 300 Rolling Airframe Missile rounds per year, with plans to reach 800 units annually after significant investment and modernisation of its facilities.
