France Begins Planning Next-Generation Attack Submarines to Avoid Capability Gaps

By Chrismaël Marchand

Published on March 20, 2026

“When I started working in 1991, someone in the office opposite was already taking care of the future attack submarine…” This observation from Vincent Martinot-Lagarde, then director of the Barracuda program at Naval Group in 2018, highlights the long-term planning inherent in submarine development. The story of France’s second-generation nuclear attack submarines (SNA) is projected to span at least 80 years, with the program initiated over three decades before the first vessel entered active service in June 2022.

Barracuda Program Status

The Barracuda program encompasses six 2nd-generation nuclear attack submarines. Currently, three – the Suffren, Duguay-Trouin and Tourville – have been delivered to the French Navy. The remaining three – the De Grasse, Rubis, and Casabianca – are under construction at the Naval Group site in Cherbourg.

Anticipating Future Needs

The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has already initiated reflections on the continuation of the program. The DGA’s role includes anticipating future threats and guiding technological roadmaps in a competitive international landscape. These early-stage efforts involve structuring technological projects and fostering partnerships within the industrial and academic ecosystem to explore breakthroughs and maintain France’s technological sovereignty.

Reasons for Early Planning

Several factors drive the need for early planning for the next generation of SNA:

Maintaining Military Capabilities

The French Navy strategically overlaps programs to prevent capability gaps. The Barracuda class is currently replacing the Rubis class, with the latter scheduled for complete decommissioning in 2027. Deliveries of the Casabianca, the final Barracuda submarine, are expected from 2029 onwards. This approach mirrors the ongoing transition from the Le Triomphant class nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to their 3G successors, planned for delivery starting in 2037.

Avoiding Technological Stagnation

Continuous innovation is crucial in defense. Submarines require regular upgrades, and improvements. Even as the final three Suffren-class submarines will incorporate technological progress, planning for a successor program is essential to avoid a decline in capabilities. Extending the lifespan of the Suffren class is a potential option, but carries the risk of an aging submarine fleet.

Financial Considerations

Developing a novel generation of nuclear attack submarines will require significant investment. The Barracuda program cost approximately ten billion euros, and the next generation, incorporating advanced technologies, could be even more expensive. France’s current financial constraints necessitate careful planning and prioritization of defense programs, including a new aircraft carrier and the 3G SSBNs.

Learning from Past Challenges

The Barracuda program faced initial delays. Launched in 1996 as the “Smaf” (attack submarines of the future), the project experienced a protracted gestation period before being officially launched in December 2006 with Naval Group and TechnicAtome as prime contractors. The Suffren finally joined the French Navy in June 2022. Lessons learned from this experience are being applied to anticipate potential delays and technological complications in future programs.

Preserving Expertise

Maintaining a skilled workforce is vital. The gap between the end of the 2nd-generation SNLE program and the start of the Barracuda program led to personnel departures and reduced shipyard capacity. In 2018, Naval Group even engaged retirees as “knowledge brokers.” Early planning for a Barracuda successor aims to prevent such a loss of expertise, particularly given the complexity of submarine construction and the unique tools involved. The experience gained during the Barracuda program has already reduced construction time from 13 to 7 years.