France Plans Next-Gen Attack Submarines: Barracuda Successor Program Begins

The French Navy is already initiating studies for the next generation of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SNA), even as the final vessel of the current Barracuda class is still under construction, according to the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA). The move aims to prevent a capability gap as the Suffren, the lead ship of the Barracuda class, is slated for decommissioning around 2060.

The Barracuda program encompasses six submarines. Three – the Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, and Tourville – have already been delivered to the French Marine Nationale. The remaining three – the De Grasse, Rubis, and Casabianca – are in various stages of construction at the Naval Group facility in Cherbourg, Normandy.

“The reflections on the follow-up to the program are initiated, one of the roles of the DGA being to anticipate future threats and to orient the technological roadmaps, particularly in a particularly competitive international and industrial context,” the DGA stated. Current efforts focus on exploring technological breakthroughs and maturing key components to ensure a smooth transition to future systems, safeguarding France’s technological sovereignty.

This proactive approach mirrors established practice within the French Navy, where programs are deliberately overlapped to avoid any lapse in operational capacity. The Barracuda class is currently replacing the older Rubis class, with the latter scheduled to be fully decommissioned in 2027, a year ahead of initial projections due to the accelerated delivery of the Casabianca, the final Barracuda vessel, in 2029.

A similar phased approach is underway for the replacement of the nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SNLE). The Le Triomphant class will be superseded by the next-generation SNLE 3G, with the first vessel expected to enter service around 2037. The early initiation of the SNA 3G program is deemed essential to avoid prolonging the transition period.

Beyond maintaining operational capacity, the DGA is focused on preventing technological stagnation. The defense sector is characterized by rapid innovation, necessitating continuous adaptation of military equipment. Even as the Barracuda program progresses, ongoing improvements and corrections are being implemented. The final three vessels of the class will incorporate technological advancements as they are completed.

The development of a new SNA generation will require substantial financial investment. The Barracuda program alone is estimated to cost approximately ten billion euros. Given the anticipated technological leaps for submarines intended to remain in service until the 22nd century, the cost could be significantly higher. France’s current budgetary constraints, coupled with funding demands for other major programs like a new aircraft carrier and the SNLE 3G, present a significant challenge.

The Barracuda program itself experienced a protracted and complex development process. Launched in 1996 under the name “Smaf” (Sous-marins d’Attaque du Futur – Future Attack Submarines), the program faced delays and challenges before a formal agreement was signed with Naval Group and TechnicAtome in December 2006. The Suffren finally entered service in June 2022, after years of development. This history underscores the need to anticipate potential setbacks and technological complications.

The potential for losing critical expertise is also a key concern. The extended gap between the commissioning of the Civaux nuclear power plant’s reactor No. 2 in 1999 and the launch of the Flamanville EPR in 2007 led to a decline in skills within the French nuclear industry. To mitigate this risk, Naval Group initiated a “passeurs de savoir” (knowledge transfer) program in 2018, calling upon retired employees to share their expertise. A swift launch of the successor to the Barracuda program aims to prevent a similar erosion of expertise at the Cherbourg shipyard and preserve the unique skills required for building these complex vessels. The experience gained during the Barracuda and SNLE 3G programs is expected to be invaluable for the next generation of SNA.

Vincent Martinot-Lagarde, currently Director of Surface Ships at Naval Group, previously led the Barracuda program and in 2018 observed that work on the next generation of attack submarines was already underway, highlighting the long-term planning inherent in such projects.