[Euronaval 2024 – Submarines] Launch of the new line of Blacksword Barracuda® submarines

30 October 2024 Group Innovation Defense Naval

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Euronaval, an international event and a must in the world of naval defence will be held at Paris Nord Villepinte this year, from 4 to 7 November. As for each edition, our teams will take turns presenting our innovations and activities to our customers and partners. These include the Blacksword Barracuda®, a new line of conventionally- powered oceanic submarines.

As yet unknown to the public at large, the new line of 3,000- tonne class attack submarines named Blacksword Barracuda®, will be unveiled on the occasion of Euronaval 2024. A sheer marvel of its generation, the most recent member of the Barracuda family comes with a host of assets, not the least of which is the submarine’s acoustic superiority. “When this ship hits the market, it will join the ranks of the most silent in the world”, states Stephan Meunier, Marketing Director at Naval Group. Naval Group teams - driven by the quest for the best-suited hydrodynamic shapes, innovative materials and propulsion systems, equipment on suspended cradles - have not only enhanced its stealth but added outstanding detection capabilities which will no doubt enable the submarine to accomplish missions of an exceptional nature. Its firepower is yet another asset, with a payload of nearly thirty heavy weapons (missiles, torpedoes and offensive mines). The Blacksword Barracuda® is equipped with the very latest generation of lithium-ion batteries, enabling it to operate under water for several days at a time, at high speeds. Last but not the least, it is also equipped with a user-friendly combat system which, in its native version, incorporates the latest innovations and the latest optimisations gained from work performed on the Suffren class. Another aspect that is also likely to attract crew members is that of conditions of life on board. They are an improvement on those seen so far on other conventional submarines, including the more modern versions, creating more favourable conditions especially for longer missions. 

An adaptable and scalable ship

“With its extreme stealth, its capacity to withstand long-distance deployments over long durations, its ability to remain discreet under water, gather intelligence and to engage arms or special forces if required, the Blacksword Barracuda® is a ship more than capable of meeting the geostrategic challenges presently facing navies worldwide”, emphasizes Stephan Meunier. “By virtue of its expeditionary nature, it will be required to navigate in waters all around the globe with differing operational environments. Naval Group’s value proposition consists in its adaptability to these varying needs. This also includes having the capacity to integrate arms and specific equipment items such as drones. Our value proposition also lies in our ability to deliver theoretical training as well as practical training on simulators. We also offer services ranging from industrial transfers of technology to through-life support”.