Suffren-class

France's modern nuclear attack submarine — a pump-jet propelled SSN that restores deep-strike capability with the MdCN cruise missile and introduces a special-forces lock-out chamber, replacing the Rubis class one-for-one.

Overview

The Suffren class (Barracuda program) is the French Navy’s first all-new nuclear attack submarine design since the Rubis boats entered service in the 1980s. Six boats are planned to reinvigorate the French SSN force with a modern, quiet platform that combines anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, land-attack cruise missiles (the MdCN, a naval cruise missile with a range of over 1,000 km) and a dedicated lock-out chamber for special operations forces. The lead boat, Suffren, was admitted to active service in June 2022, and three boats are operational as of mid-2026.

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