70018 LE REDOUTABLE SUBMARINE

Redoutable is the name of a class of French nuclear-powered submarines - carriers of ballistic missile (SSBN) missiles, which were built from 1964 to 1985. A total of six units of this class were built, five of which have been decommissioned and one remains in reserve. The length of the Redoutable-class ship was 128 m, width 10.6 m, and the underwater displacement was approx. 9,000 tons. The maximum underwater speed was around 20-22 knots. The main armament of units of this class consisted of 16 ballistic missile launchers - initially M1, and finally M4 - and four 550 mm torpedo tubes. Redoutable ships were constructed almost from scratch as one of the elements of the French nuclear deterrent triad. They mainly use native design solutions and technologies related to missiles and nuclear propulsion. The experience gained from the tests carried out on the Gymnote ship also proved to be very helpful. Externally, ships of this type were very similar to the British Resolution-class and American Lafayette-class ships in terms of ballistic missile placement, number and overall combat capabilities. They were replaced in the French Marine Nationale by Triomphant-class ships.