Perle ready to resume overhaul after fire repairs

27th October 2021 - 15:15 GMT | by The Shephard News Team in London

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Perle during repairs at Cherbourg. (Photo: Naval Group)

The Perle of France’s fleet has taken another step closer to returning to service.

The French MoD has announced that the fire-damaged Rubis-class submarine Perle will recommence overhaul works following extensive repairs.

Catastrophic fire damage in 2020 led Naval Group to join the aft of Perle with the front of another Rubis-class submarine Saphir.

The fire occurred in Toulon, after which the submarine was transported to Cherbourg to undergo repairs.

Perle is now being transferred to Toulon to resume major refit work before re-joining the French fleet in 2023.

On October 25, French Defence Minister Florence Parly wrote on Twitter: ‘In the aftermath of the fire in Toulon in June 2020, I declared that if the Perle was repairable, it would be repaired.

‘Today the Perle is repaired. Let us be proud of this essential first step. The Perle nuclear attack submarine will be operational in 2023.’

France’s Rubis-class submarines are equipped with a K48 nuclear reactor and SEMT Pielstick 8 PA 4V 185 SM diesel generator, giving the boats unlimited range and a top speed of over 25kt.