A new life beckons for the blackened Perle
Naval Group has announced that The Perle will be launched in June, following the successful repair process.
The nuclear-powered attack submarine had been damaged after a fire occurred during a technical stop in Toulon.
The repair solution selected consisted of joining the rear of the Perle with the fore section of the Saphir, of the same submarine class, which had been removed from active service in 2019.
The work involved removing and dismounting the equipment in the cutting area to preserve its physical integrity throughout the operation.
The teams then performed electrical and alignment checks of all cables and repaired the collectors, which enables the back of the Perle to be joined to the front of the Saphir.
Over February and March, the teams in Cherbourg cut the two submarines open and prepared them for joining.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the Perle belongs to the Rubis-class nuclear-powered submarines. These are the most compact nuclear submarines to date.
They are fitted with a K48 nuclear reactor and SEMT Pielstick 8 PA 4V 185 SM diesel generator, it gives the Rubis-class unlimited range, a top speed over 25kt and the ability to reach depths greater than 300m.
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy takes delivery of New Jersey SSN
The USN’s Virginia-class SSNs are replacing the old Los Angeles-class SSNs. The Virginia-class SSNs are fitted with the latest sensors and weapons and around 48 submarines are planned, with a total of 38 currently ordered.
-
BMT and DNV partner to meet Australia’s heavy landing craft requirement
Under Project Land 8710 Phase 2, Australia has been seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class. The programme has an estimated value of AU$1.4 billion (US$910 million), with IOC slated for 2032.
-
Babcock to take over upkeep of Royal Navy Type-23 frigates
The Royal Navy’s Type-23 Duke-class frigates for the UK Royal Navy were designed as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships but now have a multi-role function. Of the 16 Type 23s built, 12 remain in service with the Royal Navy and will be replaced by the Type-26 frigates before 2035.
-
Austal completes autonomy trials with former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat
The work took place under the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), which has been a collaboration between Austal, Greenroom Robotics, the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre and the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Warfare Innovation Navy Branch.
-
Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine
The era of southeast Asian submarine modernisation has been in full swing fuelled by growing tensions in the South China Sea.