Fourth Barracuda-Class Nuclear Submarine De Grasse Delivered to French Navy
On June 24, 2026, Naval Group delivered the fourth Barracuda-type nuclear-powered attack submarine, *De Grasse* (S636), to the French Navy. Delivered four months after sea trials began in February 2026, it features improved SYCOBS combat and electronic warfare systems. The vessel joins the *Suffren*, *Duguay-Trouin*, and *Tourville* in service, with two more boats under construction. The Barracuda program aims to replace the Rubis-class SSNs by 2030.
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French Nuclear Attack Submarine De Grasse to Parade on Bastille Day 2026
The French Ministry of Defence announced that the nuclear attack submarine (SSN) De Grasse, the fourth of six Suffren-class submarines, will participate in the July 14, 2026, Bastille Day parade in Toulon. Currently undergoing sea trials in the Atlantic after starting trials in February 2026 off Cherbourg, the De Grasse is expected to enter active service later in 2026. Manned by a crew of 65 sailors, it features enhanced capabilities over the Rubis-class, including a naval cruise missile for land strikes and a diver lock for special forces deployment. The submarine operates with two alternating crews (blue and red) and will support deterrence, intelligence, anti-ship, anti-submarine, coastal operations, and special actions. The article provides its motto, 'Of shadow and steel, strong and fierce,' and notes its namesake, Vice-Admiral François Joseph Paul de Grasse, a hero of the American War of Independence.
Ministère des Armées et des Anciens combattantsFrench DGA Delivers Nuclear Attack Submarine De Grasse to Navy
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) delivered the nuclear-powered attack submarine De Grasse to the French Navy on June 24, 2026. It is the fourth of six Suffren-class submarines under the Barracuda program, following a sea trial campaign that began on February 24, 2026, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and continued in the Atlantic Ocean. Tests were conducted by DGA, CEA, Naval Group, Technicatome, and French Navy submariners to verify technical capabilities. The French Navy will now conduct operational trials ahead of active service entry in 2026. The Barracuda program aims to replace the Rubis-class SSNs by 2030. Previous boats Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, and Tourville entered service in 2022, 2024, and 2025 respectively. The new submarines feature nuclear propulsion, enhanced range and stealth, special forces deployment capability, and naval cruise missile (MdCN) land-strike capability.
Ministère des Armées et des Anciens combattantsDGA Delivers Fourth Barracuda-Class Nuclear Attack Submarine De Grasse to French Navy
On June 24, 2026, the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) delivered the nuclear attack submarine (SSN) De Grasse to the French Navy. It is the fourth of six Suffren-class submarines under the Barracuda program. The delivery follows a sea trial campaign that began on February 24, 2026, with initial testing in the English Channel and continued in the Atlantic Ocean. The trials, supervised by the DGA, CEA, Naval Group, and Technicatome, and conducted by French Navy submariners, verified the submarine's technical capabilities. The French Navy will now begin operational trials, with active service expected later in 2026. The Barracuda program aims to replace the Rubis-class SSNs by 2030. The first three boats—Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, and Tourville—entered service in June 2022, April 2024, and July 2025, respectively. The new submarines offer improved speed, endurance, stealth, and new capabilities, including special forces deployment and land-attack naval cruise missiles (MdCN).
Ministère des Armées et des Anciens combattantsDGA Delivers Nuclear Attack Submarine De Grasse to French Navy
The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) delivered the nuclear attack submarine De Grasse to the French Navy on June 24, 2026. It is the fourth of six Suffren-class submarines in the Barracuda program, following a sea trial campaign that began on February 24, 2026, in Cherbourg and proceeded through the English Channel to the Atlantic Ocean. Trials were supervised by the DGA, CEA, French Navy, Naval Group, and Technicatome. The French Navy will now conduct operational trials for active service admission, planned for later in 2026. The Barracuda program aims to replace the Rubis-class SSNs by 2030, with the first three submarines (Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, Tourville) already in service. These new submarines feature nuclear propulsion, enhanced stealth, speed, endurance, and capabilities for special forces deployment and land strikes using MdCN naval cruise missiles, maintaining France's position among nations operating advanced SSNs.
Ministère des Armées et des Anciens combattantsNaval Group Delivers Fourth Barracuda-Class Nuclear Submarine De Grasse to French Navy
Naval Group delivered the fourth Barracuda-type nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) De Grasse (S636) to the French defense procurement agency (DGA) and the French Navy on 24 June 2026. The delivery came four months after the submarine's first sea trials, demonstrating rapid progress due to lessons learned from the first three boats. De Grasse features a new version of the SYCOBS combat management system and a next-generation electronic warfare system. Named after Comte de Grasse, hero of the Battle of the Chesapeake, the submarine completed dockside trials, nuclear reactor divergence in December 2025, and sea trials starting February 24, 2026. The first three Suffren-class submarines (Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, Tourville) are already in active service. Two final boats (Rubis and Casabianca) are under construction with deliveries expected by the end of the decade. The submarine displaces 4,700 tons surfaced and 5,200 tons submerged, is 99 meters long, and carries naval cruise missiles, F21 torpedoes, and Exocet SM39 missiles.
Naval NewsNaval Group Delivers 4th Barracuda Type Submarine to French Navy
On June 24, 2026, Naval Group delivered the fourth Barracuda-type nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), De Grasse (S636), to the French defense procurement agency (DGA) and the French Navy. The delivery occurred exactly four months after the submarine's first sea trials, which began on February 24, 2026. The submarine had previously completed dockside trials and nuclear reactor divergence in December 2025. De Grasse features improvements over the first three boats, including a new version of the SYCOBS combat management system and a new generation electronic warfare system. The first three submarines of the class—Suffren (2022), Duguay-Trouin (2024), and Tourville (2025)—are already in active service. The final two submarines of the program, Rubis and Casabianca, are under construction with delivery expected by the end of the decade. The submarine is named after Comte de Grasse, a French naval officer known for his victory at the Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781.
Naval NewsNaval Group Delivers 4th Barracuda-Class Nuclear Submarine to French Navy
Naval Group delivered the fourth Barracuda-type nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) De Grasse (S636) to the French defense procurement agency (DGA) and French Navy on 24 June 2026. The delivery occurred exactly four months after the submarine's first sea trials, which began on February 24, 2026. The submarine benefited from lessons learned from the first three vessels of the Suffren-class program. De Grasse features improvements including a new version of the SYCOBS combat management system and a new generation electronic warfare system, according to Admiral Xavier Petit, commander of French submarine forces. The submarine has a surface displacement of 4,700 tons, underwater displacement of 5,200 tons, length of 99 meters, and carries naval cruise missiles, F21 torpedoes, and Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles. The first three SSNs (Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, Tourville) are already in active service. The final two submarines (Rubis and Casabianca) remain under construction with deliveries expected by the end of the decade.
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