Second Suffren-class nuclear submarine delivered to French Navy
Duguay-Trouin SSN is expected to begin pre-commissioning trials soon. (Photo: DGA)
The second Suffren-class SSN for the French Navy, Duguay-Trouin, has been officially delivered after months of sea trials.
The announcement of the late July delivery was made by the Ministry of Armed Forces on 10 August and the process of further sea trials, evaluation and a lengthy deployment will now begin before the eventual commissioning of the boat.
The sea trials before handover began in March and included evaluation of the nuclear propulsion system and performance at a range of speeds and depths.
Specifically the tests included a static dive, or immersion without propelled movement, to check the stability of the submarine; surface and diving tests; safety and operation of the installations, including its nuclear boiler room; and diving tests to verify the operation of its combat system, including its ability to implement its weapons and communicate.
Related Articles
France’s first Barracuda-class submarine enters service
These tests were led by the DGA in conjunction with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission and in close partnership with the French Navy and Naval Group and TechnicAtome.
The service’s first of class, Suffren, was commissioned into service in June 2022, 18 months after it was handed over to the French Navy for testing.
The Suffren-class submarines will replace the existing Rubis- and Amethyste-class and provide France with an enhanced sub-surface attack capability.
Duguay-Trouin was laid down on 26 June 2009 and had been due to be delivered in 2022, while the next boat Tourville was laid down on 28 June 2011. The first four are all at different stages of construction and are planned to be delivered by 2025.
All six SSNs are planned to be handed over by 2030. Tourville was rolled out on 20 July 2023 and is expected to start sea trials in 2024.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![NAVDEX 2025: First of UAE Navy’s four Falaj-3 OPVs commissioned]()
NAVDEX 2025: First of UAE Navy’s four Falaj-3 OPVs commissioned
The vessels were first discussed a full ten years before the commissioning ceremony, and three more are due within the next three years.
-
![Portuguese mothership of uncrewed vehicles locks in Cube ecosystem from SH Defence]()
Portuguese mothership of uncrewed vehicles locks in Cube ecosystem from SH Defence
The multi-purpose support ship being built by Damen for the Portuguese Navy has added a skidding system to its design to enhance its operational capabilities on launch.
-
![Royal Thai Navy enhances weaponry on its Tor 997 patrol boats]()
Royal Thai Navy enhances weaponry on its Tor 997 patrol boats
A new deal with EM&E Group has added Sentinel 30 remote stations to the boats’ armament profile.
-
![Israel Shipyards begins steel-cutting on new Reshef-class corvettes]()
Israel Shipyards begins steel-cutting on new Reshef-class corvettes
The new indigenously-built corvettes will replace Israel's Sa'ar 4.5 class which has been in service for four decades.
-
![USSOUTHCOM in ‘desperate need’ for fleet assets says commander]()
USSOUTHCOM in ‘desperate need’ for fleet assets says commander
Adm Holsey also warned that were “zero Navy P-8 aircraft available due to being pulled to other theatres”.
-
![Aselsan test-fires Turkey’s first indigenous naval defence missile]()
Aselsan test-fires Turkey’s first indigenous naval defence missile
The test of the Goksur missile is regarded as a pivotal moment of Turkey’s journey towards developing an indigenous naval defence capability.
