According to information published by the French MoD on August 11, 2023, France's General Directorate of Armament (DGA) announced the receipt of the Duguay-Trouin, marking it as the second out of a series of six advanced Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines developed under the Barracuda program.
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Second Suffren class submarine Duguay Trouin. (Picture source: Naval Group)
This acquisition followed a rigorous period of testing that started in March 2023, which saw the submarine undergo an array of trials. These ranged from static dives, which evaluated its stability in immersion without movement, to more comprehensive checks on surface and underwater performance, such as the submarine's speed and the operational capacity of its nuclear reactor.
An essential highlight from these trials was the assessment of the submarine's combat system. It was scrutinized for its capability in weapon deployment and communications—ensuring that it not only met but exceeded safety and operational standards.
The introduction of the Duguay-Trouin serves as a significant milestone in France's endeavor to upgrade its naval capabilities. The Suffren-class submarines represent a major step forward from the older Rubis-type.
They're equipped to perform a broader range of missions, including but not limited to deterrence support, intelligence gathering, and advanced anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare.
One of their standout features is their ability to deploy special forces and launch the Naval Cruise Missile (MdCN), enabling them to strike distant land targets with precision.
While the DGA celebrated the delivery of the Duguay-Trouin, it's also worth noting the progress of the Barracuda program as a whole. Following the inaugural delivery of the Suffren to the National Navy in November 2020, there are still four submarines – Tourville, de Grasse, Rubis, and Casabianca – in various construction phases. Their scheduled rollouts will span the next several years, culminating in 2030, in alignment with the 2024-2030 Military Programming Law.
A pivotal feature of the Barracuda program submarines, including the Duguay-Trouin, is their nuclear propulsion system. This state-of-the-art propulsion offers numerous strategic advantages, further enhancing their operational capabilities. With the integration of these technological advances, France solidifies its position in the realm of modern submarine warfare.
Technical data
Her displacement when surfaced is 4,765 tons, and when submerged, it's 5,300 tons. She measures 99.5 meters in length with a beam of 8.8 meters and a draught of 7.3 meters.
The propulsion system of the submarine consists of a K15 nuclear reactor producing 150 MW, supplemented by two turbo-generator groups, each generating 10 MW.
Additionally, she has two emergency diesel generators, each of 480 kW capacity. An electrically driven pump-jet is also part of its propulsion. In terms of speed, the submarine can reach over 25 knots when submerged and maintains a speed of 14 knots when surfaced."
