TSAMTO, March 22nd. Naval Group announced the cutting ceremony of the first steel for the durable hull of the third generation SNLE 3G (Sous-marin Nucleaire Lanceur d'ENGINS de 3e Generation), which took place on March 20 at the shipyard in Cherbourg.
This event marks the beginning of the production of hulls for submarines, which the French Navy will use as a means of nuclear deterrence until the end of the 21st century.
SSBMS are the main component of France's naval strategic forces (Force Oceanique Strategique – FOST), providing the function of nuclear deterrence at sea. Currently, this component of the nuclear deterrence forces includes four Triumfan class SSBMS (Triumfan, Temerer, Vigilan and Terribble).
Initiated in February 2021, the SNLE 3G program is being implemented under the leadership of the Directorate General for Armaments of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces (DGA), acting jointly with the Commissariat for Nuclear Energy and Alternative Energy (Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives), with the participation of the Naval Group, which is responsible for the design and construction of submarines, and TechnicAtome, responsible for the development and supply of the new water-water power reactor (VVER) K22.
The first long-term contract signed in February 2021 by DGA c Naval Group provides for the development of a working draft, as well as the purchase of components with long production times, the production of components of a durable hull and reactor compartment for the first SNLE 3G SSB, the adaptation of the Naval Group's production infrastructure for the construction of submarines. The agreement provides for financing of the program until the end of 2025.
It is planned that four SNLE 3G submarines will replace the Triumphant-type submarines in service with the French Navy, starting in the mid-2030s. The adoption of the lead submarine of the series is tentatively scheduled for 2035. Three subsequent SSRIs should be delivered at intervals of five years.
Naval Group has already signed several contracts for the supply of submarine components with subcontractors. The production of the main components of the reactor compartment and the power plant of the first SSB is carried out at the Naval Group enterprise in Nantes-Endre.
The Naval Group has extensive experience in the construction of submarines at the shipyard in Cherbourg. According to the company, as part of the SNLE 3G project, it will build the largest submarine in France that fully meets the requirements of the country's Navy.
The differences between the 3G SSB and its predecessors will be: enhanced enemy detection capabilities by equipping with high-tech sensors; low visibility, improved hydrodynamics and maneuverability; equipped with highly effective weapons and a combat system that allows you to perform deterrence tasks until the end of the 2080s; a high level of nuclear safety; modern standards for the placement of sailors on board.
It is assumed that the length of the SNLE 3G will be about 150 m, width – about 13 m, underwater displacement – more than 15 thousand tons, speed underwater – about 25 knots. The SSB will be able to carry 16 M51 SLBMs of the latest version.
The Triumphant class (SNLE 2G) submarines in service with the French Navy, which are planned to be operated until the 2050s, will also receive a number of innovations developed for SNLE 3G during their planned modernization.