French Navy's Tourville Submarine Reaches Toulon Ahead of Operational Deployment.

According to the French MoD on November 27, 2024, the Navy's nuclear attack submarine Tourville arrived at its homeport in Toulon. As the third of six Suffren-class submarines developed under the ambitious Barracuda program, the Tourville plays a vital role in the modernization of France's naval forces. This arrival also coincides with the ongoing Verification of Military Capabilities (VCM) process, which ensures the submarine's safety, technical reliability, and operational effectiveness.
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Suffren-class nuclear attack submarine Tourville. (Picture source: French MoD)

After its first dive off Cherbourg in July 2024, the Tourville underwent rigorous sea trials, conducted by teams from both the French Navy and its industrial partners. These trials tested its performance under a range of conditions, including static immersions, surface maneuverability, and deep dives. They also verified the submarine's nuclear propulsion system, combat capabilities, and communication technologies. The completion of these trials confirms the submarine's adherence to stringent safety and operational standards, paving the way for its next phase of development.

The Tourville will now begin a long-term operational deployment designed to evaluate its full capabilities within a naval force. This critical step will lead to its formal entry into active service, anticipated in 2025. Toulon, as the submarine's permanent homeport, will provide strategic support for its integration into the French Navy's Escadrille des Sous-Marins Nucléaires d'Attaque (ESNA). This arrival marks a transitional phase for the fleet, as the Navy progresses toward an all-Suffren model.

French program

The French Barracuda program, launched in the early 2000s, aims to modernize the French Navy's nuclear attack submarine fleet by replacing the aging Rubis-class submarines with the more advanced Suffren-class (also known as Barracuda-class) submarines.

The construction of the lead submarine, Suffren, began in 2007. Since then, it has set milestones with its launch in 2019, commissioning in 2020, and entry into active service by 2022. Subsequent units, including Duguay-Trouin and Tourville, have followed a similar trajectory, with the program aiming for the delivery of six submarines by 2030.

Suffren-class submarines boast advanced technological features, such as reduced noise levels for improved stealth and enhanced sonar systems for superior detection capabilities. Their armament includes MdCN cruise missiles for long-range land strikes, torpedoes, and Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles. Additionally, they are designed to support special operations, accommodating up to 15 commandos and equipped with removable dry deck shelters for deploying swimmer delivery vehicles.

The program's international footprint includes a major contract with the Netherlands in 2024 to supply four diesel-electric variants of the Barracuda-class submarines, replacing the Dutch Navy's aging Walrus-class fleet. The program's export ambitions, however, faced challenges, such as the cancellation of Australia's contract for conventionally powered Barracuda submarines in favor of nuclear-powered options through the AUKUS partnership.