In December 2006, French
defence procurement agency DGA awarded the overall Barracuda contract
to DCNS, appointing the group as programme prime contractor and Areva-TA
as nuclear powerplant prime contractor. The firm order placed at the
same time calls for the development and construction of first-of-class
SSN Suffren, the first of six Barracuda-type SSNs. The contract also
covers through-life support for all six submarines during their first
years of operational service. The second and third tranches, confirmed
in 2009 and 2011 respectively, cover the construction of the second
and third of type SSN Duguay-Trouin and SSN Tourville.
Between 2017 and 2027, Barracuda-type SSNs will replace the Navy’s
current-generation Rubis/Améthyste-class boats. Barracuda mission
capabilities will include intelligence gathering and special operations
(by commandos and special forces), anti-surface and anti-submarine
warfare, land strikes and participation in joint operations wherever
the type’s interoperability and associated capabilities (discreet
communications, tactical datalinks, etc.) are required. The weapons
payload will include next-generation F21 heavyweight torpedoes, SM39
anti-ship missiles and MdCN naval cruise missiles.