French fire up Duguay-Trouin SSN’s nuclear reactor
Suffren-class SSN Duguay-Trouin. (Photo: Naval Group)
The first controlled reaction has occurred inside the nuclear reactor aboard the submarine Duguay-Trouin.
France’s Suffren-class SSN project took another step forward on 3 October with the firing up of the nuclear reactor aboard the second-in-class boat Duguay-Trouin.
Starting up the submarine's nuclear boiler room involved triggering the first controlled nuclear reaction in the submarine’s nuclear reactor.
The nuclear start-up will be followed by sea trials of the boat ahead of its delivery to the French Navy in 2023.
France is building six new Suffren-class submarines under a project to replace its Rubis-class boats.
The first-in-class Suffren joined the French fleet in 2022.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Suffren-class SSNs will have a surface displacement of 4,700t and a dived displacement of 5,300t, a length of 99.5m, a beam of 8.8m and a draft of 7.8m.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?]()
How far will the US Navy’s FF(X) design deviate from the Legend-class?
The new frigate class’s focus on modularity, speed to build and enhanced armament align with the priorities of the US Navy’s Golden Fleet.
-
![How China’s naval advancements are pushing the US Navy to innovate]()
How China’s naval advancements are pushing the US Navy to innovate
The US Navy is set to invest $30 billion in artificial intelligence, cyber, space and autonomy research and development efforts in FY2026 as the force rethinks how it fights in light of China’s naval rise.
-
![US Coast Guard to invest nearly $11 billion in new capabilities by October]()
US Coast Guard to invest nearly $11 billion in new capabilities by October
The US Coast Guard is expected to acquire new aircraft, helicopters, vessels and ISR sensors this fiscal year using resources from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
-
![UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power]()
UK and France signal shift to autonomous helicopters to boost naval power
Recent developments in France and the UK highlight how autonomous helicopters are becoming central to naval force design as navies seek to integrate crewed and uncrewed systems at sea.
-
![US Coast Guard’s small response boat demonstrators to be delivered in three months]()
US Coast Guard’s small response boat demonstrators to be delivered in three months
The platforms will be tested in multiple missions to define performance requirements for a coming acquisition programme.
-
![What HII’s UK expansion could mean for Royal Navy’s uncrewed future]()
What HII’s UK expansion could mean for Royal Navy’s uncrewed future
As HII prepares to deliver its latest AI-enabled uncrewed surface vessel later this year, its major UK facility expansion aligns with the UK Royal Navy’s plans for a hybrid fleet.
