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Naval Group officially handed over the De Grasse, the fourth nuclear attack submarine (SNA) of the Barracuda program, to the French Navy on June 24, 2026. The delivery took place in Cherbourg, where the submarine was built under the program managed by the DGA. The De Grasse is the fourth in a series of six submarines replacing the older Rubis-class SNAs, with three already in active service since 2022.

The De Grasse’s operational readiness followed a rigorous testing phase that began with harbor trials and the activation of its nuclear reactor in December 2025. This was followed by a four-month sea trial campaign starting February 24, 2026. The submarine’s construction and preparation for deployment were completed in stages, including its transfer to the water in May 2025. The program leverages lessons learned from the first three submarines to enhance performance and reliability.

The Barracuda program, led by the DGA in partnership with the CEA for nuclear reactor development, aims to modernize the French Navy’s submarine fleet. Naval Group is responsible for the entire lifecycle of the submarines, from design and construction to logistical support and maintenance in Toulon. The De Grasse joins the Suffren, Duguay-Trouin, and Tourville, which have already been commissioned since 2022.

The remaining two submarines, Rubis and Casabianca, are under construction and expected to be delivered by the end of the decade. The Barracuda-class submarines feature a hybrid propulsion system, including a pressurized water reactor derived from those used in Le Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarines and the Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier, ensuring high operational availability exceeding 270 days per year.