The fourth nuclear attack submarine has begun its trials before being delivered to the French Navy in 2026. A total of six vessels will replace the Rubis-class submarines that have been in service since the 1980s.
Published on 04/03/2026 at 09:53, the submarine “Le Suffren” was photographed in the port of Toulon in November 2020.
The De Grasse, the fourth vessel of the Suffren series, has started its sea trials off Cherbourg, with plans for delivery to the French Navy in 2026. The vessel underwent its first “static” dive, confirming its theoretical weight, waterproofing, stability, and internal ballast capacity.
Following trials in Cherbourg, the submarine will continue its testing campaign in the Atlantic under the supervision of various authorities. The entire testing process is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Constructed at Naval Group’s workshops in Cherbourg, the De Grasse is part of the Barracuda program. Its predecessors – Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, and Tourville – entered active service in 2022, 2024, and 2025 respectively. A total of six units are set to replace the Rubis-class submarines from the 1980s in the French fleet.
