During a visit to the test center of the General Directorate of Armaments located in Val-de-Reuil, in the Eure region, the Minister of the Armed Forces recalled the strategic issue of these submarines.
Posted on 02/20/2021 at 12:48 p.m.
Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, visiting the testing center of the Directorate-General for Armaments located in Val-de-Reuil. • © FTV
Eure Evreux
France launched this Friday, February 19, the design of its third generation missile launching submarines (SSBNs).
From 2035 , they will embody
the oceanic component of the French nuclear deterrent force.
In Val-de-Reuil, Florence Parly announces the construction of 4 new nuclear submarines
A contract of "several billion euros"
The objective of these third generation nuclear submarines is to
replace those of the Le Triomphant class in service and launched between 1994 and 2008.
The "general design" phase, launched yesterday by the Minister of the Armed Forces, should make it possible to precisely define the main components of the building. It should last five years for submersibles intended to sail until 2090.
For the so-called general design phase, a contract worth several billion euros has been put in place, according to the minister's office.
Life insurance according to the minister
France regards nuclear deterrence as its life insurance policy in the face of threats to its existential interests.
Since the first nuclear missile submarine went into service, there hasn't been a day that they haven't been at sea to protect us.
Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces
Once at sea with 16 ballistic missiles on board, this concentrate of technology can respond in the event of an attack on the orders of the President of the Republic. Designed to face new threats
, this submarine is "more efficient, quieter, more discreet and more stealthy" than its predecessor, according to the minister.
One of our teams was able to go behind the scenes of the naval research and testing center in Val-de-Reuil. Rare report . 130 people work there to design the military fleet of tomorrow, like its third generation nuclear submarines.
An international issue
Just like France,
all the nuclear powers have or aspire to develop a submarine component or to renew it.
The
United States must therefore replace its 14 Ohio-class submarines with 12 Columbia-class submarines from 2031.
The
British must renew theirs from 2028.
The
Russia again has a dozen buildings. And
China, which "for a long time had SSBNs that existed on paper, is now doing real patrols" with its six Jin submarines.
Not to mention "
North Korea (which) is also investing in this technology", according to Corentin Brustlein, quoted by AFP, director of research at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI).
