N700136 BARRACUDA CLASS SUBMARINE

The Barracuda class is a type of French nuclear fighter submarines (ANNs) that have been built for the Marine Nationale since 2007. A single ship of this type is 99.5 meters long, 8.8 meters wide and has an underwater displacement of approximately 5,300 tons. The underwater maximum speed exceeds 25 knots. The armament consists of 4 533 mm torpedo tubes and 20-24 pieces of weapons, for example: F21 Artemis torpedoes or SM39 Exocet Mod2 missiles. The Barracuda-class ships were designed and built to replace the Rubis-class ships in the line. Compared to their predecessors, they are larger and are able to take more weapons. They almost certainly also have much more modern electronic equipment - including, in particular, a sonar system. A completely different nuclear reactor was also used on them and the propulsion system was significantly changed, including the use of a water-jet propeller, which reduces the noise generated by the ship while navigating under water. It is assumed that units of this class are one of the quietest ANNs in the world! There are many indications that the Barracuda-class ships can descend to over 350 meters, compared to the 300 meters given for the Rubis-class. Barracuda-class vessels are built at DCNS shipyards in Cherbourg, Normandy. It is assumed that the cost of the planned 6 units of this class will amount to approx. EUR 10.4 billion.