French DGA Receives Second Suffren-class Nuclear Attack Submarine

The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has announced the receipt of “Duguay-Trouin,” the second of the six Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines (SNA) produced as part of the Barracuda program.

The submarine was delivered to the French Navy in Brest after a trial campaign lasting several months.

Suffren-class submarines are being built to replace the French Navy’s Rubis-class.

The Barracuda-class submarines will provide the French Navy with a deep strike capability thanks to MBDA’s naval cruise missiles (NCM). They are also equipped with the F21 heavyweight torpedo produced by Naval Group and the SM39 anti-ship missile from MBDA. These SSNs also allow the discreet deployment of Special Forces underwater, in particular thanks to its “divers hatch” and the optional carrying of a dry deck shelter allowing for the deployment of underwater vehicles.

Four submarines of Barracuda programunder construction

Four other submarines of the Barracuda program (Tourville, de Grasse, Rubis and Casabianca) are currently at different stages of construction, and their deliveries will be staggered up to 2030, in accordance with the 2024-2030 military programming law.