France Rolls Out De Grasse: Fourth Barracuda-Class Submarine Moves Closer to Sea Trials

In a major milestone for France’s naval capabilities, the fourth Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarine, De Grasse, has officially been rolled out from its construction hall to a floating platform in preparation for final outfitting and sea trials. The event, which took place on May 27, marks a critical step forward in the long-term effort to modernize the French Navy’s underwater fleet.

The De Grasse is part of the Suffren-class series of six new-generation nuclear attack submarines that are gradually replacing the ageing Rubis-class submarines. These advanced vessels are being developed under the Barracuda programme—a collaborative initiative led by the French defence procurement agency (DGA), the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), and Naval Group, one of Europe’s top naval defense companies.

Naval Group is responsible for the overall design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of these submarines. It is also building critical elements of the onboard nuclear steam supply system, working alongside its key partner TechnicAtome. Once completed, all six submarines will be based in Toulon, where Naval Group will continue to provide maintenance and logistical support.

The CEO of Naval Group, Pierre Éric Pommellet, hailed the rollout as a significant achievement, praising the dedication and technical excellence of the teams involved. He emphasized that this progress reflects the strength and skill of the French naval industry, which plays a vital role in supporting the country's armed forces.

Each Barracuda-class submarine is packed with cutting-edge technologies and advanced weaponry. They are armed with MBDA naval cruise missiles capable of striking land targets with precision, F21 heavyweight torpedoes developed by Naval Group, and SM39 anti-ship missiles. These submarines are also designed to support covert operations, featuring a special divers hatch and the optional ability to carry a dry deck shelter for deploying Special Forces or underwater vehicles.

The De Grasse submarine stands as an engineering feat, measuring 99 meters in length and 8.8 meters in diameter. It has a surface displacement of 4,700 tonnes and a submerged displacement of 5,200 tonnes. Its propulsion system is a hybrid design built around a pressurised water nuclear reactor, derived from those used on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and the Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarines.

These submarines are built for high operational availability, capable of spending over 270 days at sea annually. They typically carry a crew of 63 personnel, with the capacity to embark additional commandos for special missions.

Work on the De Grasse will continue with quayside testing and final integration of onboard systems. The submarine is expected to begin sea trials in 2026, marking another step toward the full operational deployment of the Suffren-class fleet by 2030.

With over 2,500 individuals—including around 800 subcontractors—involved in the Barracuda programme, the rollout of De Grasse represents not just technological progress but also a powerful example of French industrial and defense collaboration in action.