- Le Triomphant class submarine
The "le Triomphant" class of strategic missile
submarine s of theFrench Navy are currently being introduced into service to provide the sea based component (theForce Océanique Stratégique ) of the Frenchnuclear deterrent orForce de frappe , with theM45 SLBM . They are replacing the "Redoutable"-class boats. In French, they are called "Sous-Marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins de Nouvelle Génération" ("SNLE-NG, literally "Device-launching nuclear submarine of the new generation").They are roughly one thousand times quieter than the "Redoutable"-class vessels, and ten times more sensitive in detecting other submarines [http://www.netmarine.net/bat/smarins/triompha/index.htm] . They are designed to carry the M51 nuclear missile, which should enter active service around 2010.
The vessels are manufactured by
DCN and have a capacity of 16M51 SLBM missiles manufactured byAerospatiale (nowEADS Astrium Space Transportation .)The French Navy's goal is to operate a force of four SSBNs (as with the
Royal Navy 's "Vanguard" fleet), of which two are on patrol at any given time.*"Le Triomphant" : Construction began on 9 June 1989; she was launched on 26 March 1994, and entered active service on 21 March 1997.
*"Le Téméraire" : Construction began on 18 December 1993; she was launched on 21 January 1998, and entered active service on 23 December 1999.
*"Le Vigilant" : Construction began in 1997; she was launched on 19 September 2003, and entered active service on 26 November 2004.
*"Le Terrible" : Construction began on 24 October 2000 was launched on 21 march 2008. She is expected to enter active service by 2010.
See also
*
France and weapons of mass destruction
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