Image source: topwar.ru
The lead multi-purpose submarine of the new generation Suffren of the Barracuda type has officially entered the combat composition of the French fleet. The ceremony with the participation of the new French Defense Minister Sebastian Lecornu took place at the naval base in Brest.
The Suffren multipurpose submarine is the lead submarine of the Barracuda project, was laid down in 2007, and launched in July 2019, factory sea trials began on April 27, 2020. On November 9, 2020, the submarine was officially transferred to the French navy, but it was not put into combat, it continued testing, but under the leadership of the military. Initially, Suffren was planned to be introduced into the combat team last year, but apparently some problems arose and the ceremony was postponed to this one.
The submarine was named after the French Admiral Suffren de Saint-Tropez (July 17, 1729 — December 8, 1788), who is considered one of the greatest naval commanders in France. The admiral won a number of victories over the British fleet in the East Indies during the American War of Independence.
To date, the Naval Group is completing five more Barracuda-type submarines, they should replenish the French fleet from 2022 to 2030. Submarines of this series should replace the aging Rubis-type submarines built in the French Navy between 1976 and 1993. According to the French press, the first serial submarine of the Duguay-Trouin project, named after another French general, will be handed over to the Navy this year, and it is planned to introduce it into combat next year.
The displacement of the submarine is about 5,300 tons, the length is 99 m, the service life of the nuclear reactor reaches 10 years. The autonomy of swimming is up to 70 days. The working depth of the dive is 350 meters. The submarines will be armed with Scalp Naval and Exocet cruise missiles, as well as Black Shark heavy torpedoes.
