On 24 February 2026, SSN De Grasse, the fourth Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarine, successfully conducted its first sea trial—marking a major milestone ahead of its planned delivery to the French Navy later this year. The trials initiate a comprehensive testing phase to validate performance, safety, and combat systems at sea.

This first deployment follows an extensive dock-testing campaign that began after the submarine’s launch in May 2025 and included the commissioning of its nuclear reactor in December 2025. These preparatory phases, carried out in assembly halls and both dry and flooded docks, verified equipment integration and system readiness prior to open-sea evaluation.

The De Grasse milestone reinforces steady progress across the Barracuda program, under which three submarines—SSN Suffren (2022), SSN Duguay-Trouin (2024), and SSN Tourville (2025)—are already in active service. Two additional units, SSN Rubis and SSN Casabianca, are currently under construction, with deliveries planned through the end of the decade.

Program leadership is provided by the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), in partnership with the Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) for nuclear systems. Naval Group oversees end-to-end design, construction, and lifecycle support, including maintenance in Toulon, while nuclear boilers are developed with TechnicAtome. More than 2,500 personnel—among them about 800 subcontractors—are contributing to the series.

Designed for the demands of modern naval warfare, Barracuda-class SSNs rank among the world’s stealthiest submarines and deliver superior versatility and endurance (over 270 days of availability per year). Their armament includes MBDA naval cruise missiles (NCM) for deep-strike missions, Naval Group’s F21 heavyweight torpedoes, and Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles, alongside enhanced capabilities for discreet Special Forces deployment. With a service life exceeding 30 years, the Barracuda program will anchor France’s submarine forces well beyond 2060.