France Launches Construction of Its First Next-Gen Nuclear Submarine for 21st Century Defense

The initiation of steel cutting for the first third-generation French SSBN occurred at the Naval Group’s shipyard in Cherbourg on March 20th. This significant act signifies the commencement of hull fabrication for these submarines, which will uphold France’s nuclear deterrence strategy into the latter part of the 21st century.

Among the most intricate systems, SSBNs serve as the backbone of France’s strategic oceanic force (FOST) and ensure that nuclear deterrence persists beneath the waves.

Introduced in February 2021, the SNLE 3G initiative for the French Navy unites the armed forces, the French defense procurement agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement – DGA), tasked with overall project oversight, the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), responsible for the nuclear propulsion systems, and Naval Group, which oversees the submarines’ full project management, in collaboration with TechnicAtome for the nuclear systems.

Pierre Éric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group, stated: “We are honored to symbolically commence the construction of the hull for the first 3rd-generation SSBN today, with the DGA, the French Navy, the Atomic Energy Commission, and Technicatome, along with all our governmental and industrial partners. Through this ambitious program, Naval Group is deeply dedicated to upholding French sovereignty and nuclear deterrence, harnessing all its expertise, skills, and industrial assets, and relying on a robust defense industrial and technological framework distributed throughout the nation.”

The initial follow-on contract awarded in February 2021 encompasses developmental studies extending to the end of 2025, as well as long lead time procurement, production of the first hull and boiler room components for the first 3G SSBN, and adjustments to Naval Group’s manufacturing capabilities to meet the specific demands of the 3G SSBNs.

Production of the core components of the nuclear boiler room and propulsion system, particularly the tank for the 1st SNLE 3G, has already commenced at Naval Group’s Nantes-Indret facility.

An unparalleled industrial endeavor

With 125 years of experience in submarine construction in Cherbourg, Naval Group possesses a unique expertise, passed down from builders of prior generations of vessels, and proficiency developed to respond to evolving threats and expectations of the Navy.

Through the SNLE 3G initiative, Naval Group has embarked on a significant new industrial journey involving all its facilities in France, aiming to construct the largest submarine ever built in the country.

A nuclear submarine ranks among the most intricate objects ever created by humans. The fabrication of an SNLE 3G submarine necessitates the integration of nearly 100,000 units, along with hundreds of kilometers of cables and circuits. Such an achievement demands rare technological and industrial proficiency, which very few nations globally possess.

This sector of excellence advantages the entire French naval industry. Nearly 90% of the added value from the SNLE 3G program will be generated in France for several decades, representing approximately 3,000 direct, highly skilled jobs that cannot be relocated.

The SNLE 3G program is a national adventure that will engage the entirety of France, mobilizing over 400 companies and 400 skill sets across the nation: from Alsace to Brittany, from the Paris region to Toulouse and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur area.

Next-generation advanced submarines

In comparison to their predecessors, the 3G SSBNs will boast a multitude of significant technological enhancements, providing the French Navy with superior operational capabilities. These submarines will be:

• • Remarkably discreet;
• • Equipped with enhanced detection capabilities, featuring sensors of the highest technological caliber;
• • Possessing improved stealth, including optimized hydrodynamics and augmented maneuverability;
• • Fitted with high-performance weaponry and combat systems, capable of executing deterrence missions into the 2080s;
• • Ensuring optimal levels of nuclear safety and security;
• • Designed according to the latest living standards for crew members aboard, particularly through the inclusion of a new system for reprocessing the vessel’s atmosphere. Furthermore, the current French SSBNs (SNLE 2G) will also benefit from some of these innovations, without awaiting the arrival of the four 3G SSBNs, ensuring the best possible performance throughout their operational lifespan until the 2050s. This modernization will benefit the entire French SSBN fleet.