Naval Group has commenced the first sea trials of the French Navy’s fourth Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarine.
The trial phase will assess the performance and operational capabilities of De Grasse (S638) ahead of its planned entry into service in late 2026. The milestone follows extensive dockside testing of onboard systems and equipment after the submarine’s launch in 2025, as well as the activation of its nuclear reactor during the same year.
The Suffren-Class Program
The Barracuda program — also known as the Suffren class — was initiated in the early 2000s to replace France’s aging Rubis-class submarines, which have been in service since the 1980s.
The program calls for six submarines, all expected to be operational by 2030, each designed for an estimated service life of around 30 years. So far, three Barracuda-class boats have been delivered to the French Navy between 2022 and 2025, while the remaining vessels, including De Grasse, are progressing through various construction and testing phases.
Technical Overview
The Barracuda submarine measures approximately 100 meters (328 feet) in length with a 9-meter beam and accommodates a crew of 60.
It is powered by a K15 nuclear reactor generating roughly 200,000 horsepower, supported by two 13,000-horsepower turbo generators, two 640-horsepower emergency diesel generators, and an electric pumpjet propulsion system.
The platform is fitted with advanced navigation and countermeasure sensors and carries a weapons suite that includes land-attack cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, heavyweight torpedoes, and naval mines.
Capable of diving beyond 350 meters (1,148 feet), the submarine can exceed speeds of 25 knots and remain deployed for up to 70 consecutive days.
