French Navy’s first Barracuda-class submarine enters service

Photo: Official Twitter account of Admiral Pierre Vender, Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces

The French Navy commissioned its first Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine in a ceremony on Friday, June 3.

Measuring nearly 100 metres long and capable of a maximum submerged speed of over 25 knots, Suffren will be used for anti-surface warfare, strike warfare, and special operations support missions. Armament includes torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, land attack cruise missiles, and mines.

Suffren was designed and built by French defence company the Naval Group. Five other Barracuda-class submarines are in various stages of construction and are scheduled to enter service between 2022 and 2031.


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