The Triomphant-class nuclear submarines are France’s main naval strategic force, designed to operate as part of the nation’s nuclear deterrence. They form the submarine component of the French Strategic Nuclear Forces and are stationed at the naval base of Île Longue in the Brest region of western France.
Main Features
- Design and Mission
- The Triomphant-class submarines were developed to replace the previous class (L’Inflexible) and entered service starting in the 1990s.
- They are classified as SNLE-NG (Sous-marin Nucléaire Lanceur d’Engins Nouvelle Génération), or Next-Generation Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarines.
- Their primary mission is to maintain France’s nuclear deterrence capability, staying hidden in the ocean and ready to launch nuclear strikes if necessary.
- Technical Specifications
- Displacement: Around 14,335 tons (submerged).
- Length: Approximately 138 meters.
- Propulsion: K15 nuclear reactor, enabling continuous operation and unlimited range.
- Maximum Speed: 25 knots (submerged).
- Crew: About 110 sailors, including officers and technical specialists.
- Autonomy: Virtually unlimited in terms of nuclear fuel, with limitations only on supplies for the crew.
- Armament
- Each submarine is equipped with 16 M51 ballistic missiles, which replaced the M45 missiles in a recent upgrade.
- The M51 missiles have a range of over 10,000 km and can carry multiple independent nuclear warheads.
- In addition to strategic missiles, they are equipped with torpedo tubes for defense and tactical attacks, capable of firing F17 torpedoes or Exocet missiles.
PED is an operational training exercise at sea aimed at ensuring the permanence of nuclear deterrence at sea.
Triomphant-Class Submarines
The class consists of four submarines:
- Le Triomphant (S616) – Commissioned in 1997.
- Le Téméraire (S617) – Commissioned in 1999.
- Le Vigilant (S618) – Commissioned in 2004.
- Le Terrible (S619) – Commissioned in 2010. This model received the first M51 missiles, marking the fleet’s modernization.
Strategic and Operational Role
- Permanent Deterrence: At least one Triomphant-class submarine is on active patrol at any given time, ensuring that France maintains its retaliatory capability in the event of a nuclear attack.
- Operational Stealth: The submarines are designed to operate in complete secrecy, using advanced technology to avoid detection, including noise-reduction systems and stealth capabilities.
Upgrades and Future
- The Triomphant class is constantly being modernized, especially with improvements in missile and electronic systems.
- The class is expected to be replaced in the coming decades by the SNLE-3G (Sous-marin Nucléaire Lanceur d’Engins de 3ème Génération), third-generation nuclear missile submarines currently under development.
Strategic Importance
The Triomphant class is a symbol of France’s strategic independence on the global stage, reinforcing its position as a nuclear power. These submarines ensure the nation’s deterrence capability, guaranteeing that any attack on France can be met with a devastating counterattack.
Source and images: Instagram @marinenationale. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
