On Friday, 19 February 2021, French Defence Minister Florence Parly gave the go-ahead for the development and construction of the new generation of strategic submarines (SNLE 3G). From 2035, the new maritime component of the French nuclear deterrent will replace the existing submarines of the Le-Triomphant-class. The four planned units are expected to be phased in every five years. Their operating period is specified in the glossy brochures up to 2090 and beyond.
So far, there have been no official statements on technical details. In her speech at the announcement in Val-de-Reuil (Eure) at the Centre of Excellence for Hydrodynamic Techniques of the French Directorate-General for Armaments, the Minister of Defence indicated that the boats would be larger than their predecessors. French media and blogs mention a displacement of 15,000 tonnes (submerged) with a length of 150 metres. There is also currently only speculation regarding sensors and armament. What is official, however, is that the main armament will be a future version of the M51 strategic missile.
Paris sees the construction of the nuclear submarines as more than just a security policy necessity. The project is both a prestige project and a national endeavour. In total, the programme will involve up to 100 million working hours over the next 30 years, with an estimated 15 million hours for the design and more than 80 million hours for construction. Paris estimates 3000 direct high-skilled jobs. More than 200 companies will collaborate with the Naval Group, which has been entrusted with the project management together with TechnicAtome. Project management is the responsibility of the Directorate-General for Defence (DGA), which is dependent on the cooperation of other authorities (e.g. the Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission due to the nuclear propulsion system).
The first orders are now to be placed during 2021: for the development studies, which are to be completed by the end of 2025, for the first hull elements and the boiler of the first of the new SNLE 3Gs, as well as the adaptation of the Naval Group's industrial production lines to the specific design features of the new boats.
The real innovations will be found in the casing
The 2021 budget includes five billion euros for strategic deterrence (dissuasion) is planned. According to the 2019-2023 budget legislation, 25 billion euros are to be spent on renewing the naval and air force components of the French nuclear deterrent. The defence budget for 2021 amounts to a total of 39.2 billion euros.
France has maintained a maritime nuclear component since 1971, when the Le Redoutable into service. Since 1972, there has always been a strategic submarine on patrol. The previous second-generation submarines Le Triomphant, Le Téméraire, Le Vigilant and Le Terrible were put into service between 1997 and 2010. They are 138 metres long and displace 14,200 tonnes.
Text: Hans-Uwe Mergener; Graphics: Naval Group
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