The French Navy commissioned its first Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine in a ceremony on Friday, June 3.
Measuring nearly 100 metres long and capable of a maximum submerged speed of over 25 knots, Suffren will be used for anti-surface warfare, strike warfare, and special operations support missions. Armament includes torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, land attack cruise missiles, and mines.
Suffren was designed and built by French defence company the Naval Group. Five other Barracuda-class submarines are in various stages of construction and are scheduled to enter service between 2022 and 2031.
