Last weekend, on December 14, a nuclear submarine of the French Navy fired the latest F21 torpedo at the hull of the decommissioned patrol ship Premier-Maître L'her. As noted by Naval News, images of the destruction of the ship confirm the new capabilities of French submarines.
The shot was fired using a heavy 533 mm F21 torpedo with a full-fledged warhead capable of destroying both surface and underwater threats.
Application of the F-21 torpedo, France
France Navy
Application of the F-21 torpedo, France
France Navy
Naval News clarifies that the new torpedo is designed to equip multipurpose nuclear submarines of the Ruby and Suffren classes, as well as for strategic submarines. "The F21 torpedo represents the evolution of the weapons of these submarines – more stealthy, longer–range and faster, less noticeable," the publication notes.
According to the French Navy, this is the first case of the use of an F21 torpedo with combat equipment on a target ship. A navy representative contacted by Naval News journalists explained that this test was not intended to sink a surface target.
"The main purpose of this launch is to measure the impact of F21 on the real target," the source said.
The test is of great importance, since firing at surface targets has become a rarity in France. A Navy spokesman confirmed that for two decades the Navy had not used combat torpedoes to hit surface targets: in 2004, the decommissioned amphibious assault ship Champlain and the frigate Commander Bori were sunk.
The interlocutor of Naval News refused to disclose the name or the exact class of the submarine that launched the new generation torpedo, citing service directives. The publication suggests that the shootings were carried out in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, since last week notifications were published about the closure of some areas in the Bay of Biscay, while restrictions were not imposed in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, the target ship was previously based in Brest and was decommissioned earlier this year. Journalists also assume that the torpedo was fired by the head multipurpose submarine of the Suffren class, since it was recently observed in the Brest area.
A representative of the French Navy confirmed that the heavy torpedo of the new generation F21 is fully ready for operation on all French submarines.
The F21 heavy torpedo is designed to replace the outdated F17 torpedoes of the Mod2 version. The first batch of new torpedoes was delivered back in November 2019.
According to the Naval Group, the F21 has exceptional characteristics that meet the strict requirements of the French navy: an improved self-management regime, the ability to operate in shallow waters and in closed waters.
The F21 has a standard diameter of 533 mm, a length of 6 meters, and a weight of 1550 kg. The torpedo reaches a speed of more than 50 knots, the range of application exceeds 27 nautical miles (50 km). The working depth is up to 500 meters.
The torpedo is initially controlled by optical fiber, and then uses acoustic homing. Its electric motor is powered by a battery based on a compound of silver oxide and aluminum.
