The Rubis class is a class of nuclear-poweredattack submarines operated by the French Navy. It originally comprised six boats, the first entering service in 1983 and the last in 1993. Two additional units originally planned were cancelled as a result of post-Cold War budget cuts. All submarines of the Rubis class have been based at Toulon and are part of the Escadrille de sous-marins nucléaires d'attaque. Smaller than contemporary designs of other major world navies, the Rubis class shares many of its system designs with the conventionally-powered Agosta class. In the late 1980s, the Rubis class was proposed to Canada in the context of their plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
The submarines of the class were built in two batches, with the final two built to an improved standard to reduce noise emissions that plagued the original design. Dubbed the AMÉTHYSTE rebuild, the first four hulls were refitted to its standard until they were practically indistinguishable from the final two hulls.
The Rubis class is being phased out and replaced with a new generation of nuclear-powered attack submarines, the Suffren class. The lead boat, Suffren, entered operational service in June 2022. Four of the six Rubis-class submarines, Saphir, Rubis, Casabianca and Émeraude have been decommissioned in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively.
Background and design
Silhouette before Améthyste rebuildSilhouette after Améthyste rebuild
The Rubis class was the second attempt at constructing a nuclear-poweredattack submarine. The first, also dubbed Rubis, had been authorised in 1964 but cancelled in 1968, just as the first boat was about to commence construction. However, a new naval plan in 1972, called Plan Bleu, stated a requirement for 20 attack submarines of both nuclear-powered and conventionally-powered types.[1] The new design, designated Type SNA 72 and called a sous-marin nucléaire de chasse (French: nuclear attack submarine) was smaller than any contemporary nuclear-powered attack submarine design in other major world navies. The small hull design was capable due the development of a compact, integrated nuclear reactor-exchanger with turbo-electric drives.[2] Even then, the project was only considered feasible if equipped with weapons and sensors already in service, with the fire-control, torpedo-launching and submarine-detection systems also found in the Agosta class.[2][3]
As built the first four submarines of the class measured 72.1 metres (236ft 7in)long overall with a beam of 7.6m (24ft 11in) and a draught of 6.4m (21ft 0in). The Rubis class had a standard displacement of 2,265 tonnes (2,229 long tons), 2,385t (2,347 long tons) surfaced and 2,670t (2,630 long tons) submerged.[3] The boats are of single-hull construction made of 80 HLES high elasticity steel and the forward diving planes are situated high on the conning tower. The Rubis class can dive to depths over 300m (980ft).[2]
The submarines are powered by a CAS-48 pressurised water nuclear reactor creating 48 megawatts utilising 7% low-enriched uranium,[4] driving two 3,950-kilowattturbo-alternator sets. These power a single propeller creating 7,100kW (9,500shp).[5] At low speeds, the submarines use natural circulation to reduce noise emissions. In case of a reactor failure, the Rubises have an emergency electric motor powered by batteries or a SEMT-Pielstick 16PA4 diesel generator set with an output of 480kW (640hp; 650PS). On battery power, the vessel has a range of 50 nautical miles (93km; 58mi) and endurance for 15 hours.[2][5] The submarines had an cruising[citation needed] speed of 25 knots (46km/h; 29mph) and endurance of 45 days (60 days maximum). Manned by two (alternating) crews, they have an active yearly service of 240 days. The crew initially[clarification needed] numbered 66, including 9 officers.[3][5]
Sharing sensors and weapons with the Agosta class, the Rubises have four 533-millimetre (21in)torpedo tubes forward. They have stowage for a mix of 14 F17 Mod 2 torpedoes and SM39 Exocetanti-ship missiles. The submarines can fire and guide two torpedoes simultaneously. Instead of torpedoes, the submarine can embark[clarification needed] FG 29 mines.[6] The submarines was initially fitted with a DRUA 33 navigation/search radar, ARUR and ARUD electronic warfare systems, DSUV 22 multi-function passive sonar array, DUUA 2B active sonar, and DUUX 2 acoustic intercept sonar.[3]
AMÉTHYSTE rebuild
The initial design of Rubis proved to be problematic with unexpectedly high noise levels. This led to the Améthyste silencing program (AMÉlioration Tactique HYdrodynamique Silence Transmission Ecoute, literally Silent Acoustic Transmission Tactical Hydrodynamic Improvement) which was applied during construction of the fifth (Améthyste) and sixth (Perle) hulls. The hull form was reshaped and lengthened to 73.6m (241ft 6in) while the superstructure and external bow were made of glass-reinforced plastic.[7] To further reduce noise emissions, the machinery was given flexible mountings.[2] The program included upgrades to the sonar and additional upgrades of the electronics. The Rubis class had a DSUB 62C towed passive sonar array, DUUG 2 sonar intercept, DMUX 20 sonar suite installed and had their acoustic intercept upgraded to DUUX 5. With the upgrades tested and proven, the original four boats were rebuilt to the same standards between 1989 and 1995 and were nearly identical to the final two ships of the class.[5][6]
The first hull was laid down in December 1976 and launched in 1979. The first ship cost 850 million French francs to build.[10][11] The first three vessels originally sported the names Provence, Bretagne and Bourgogne respectively, but their names were changed to their current monikers in November 1980.[5]Rubis was financed via the Third Military Equipment Plan, and the following three hulls were part of the Fourth Military Equipment Plan.[3]Rubis' reactor went critical in February 1981 and trials began in June. Hulls five and six were ordered on 17 October 1984 and the seventh on 24 April 1990. However, plans for the eighth submarine of the class were cancelled in September 1991 and construction for the seventh was delayed. Eventually construction of the seventh hull was cancelled in June 1992, but not before the French Navy attempted to sell the vessel as a conventionally-powered submarine, but found no buyers.[5] All six submarines are based at Toulon as part of the Escadrille de sous-marins nucléaires d'attaque.[6]
Saphir was the first to undergo the AMÉTHYSTE rebuild, being out of service from November 1989 to May 1991. Rubis followed from September 1992 to July 1993.[5] On 20 August 1993, Rubis collided with the oil tankerLyria.[12] From 1993 to 1994, Casabianca underwent the AMÉTHYSTE rebuild. On 30 March 1994, Émeraude had a steam leakage in the secondary steam loop, suffering ten casualties including the vessel's commanding officer. Émeraude would undergo the AMÉTHYSTE rebuild from May 1994 to December 1995.[5]
During COMPTUEX 2015, an exercise led by the United States Navy, Saphir successfully defeated the aircraft carrier USSTheodore Roosevelt and her escort, managing to "sink" the US carrier. This was widely advertised by the French Navy but unmentioned by the US Navy.[14][15]
On 12 June 2020, Perle caught fire in dry dock while undergoing major renovations. The fire broke out around 10:35 local time in the forward section of the submarine and was described as being "unbelievably fierce". According to French naval sources, there were no weapons or nuclear fuel aboard at the time.[16] In October 2020 it was announced that Perle would be repaired using the forward section of the decommissioned boat, Saphir. The repairs were projected to be completed in 2022 and her return to service was anticipated in 2023.[17][18]Perle returned to sea in May 2023 to begin post-refit sea trials.[19]
In 1987, the Canadian White Paper on Defence recommended the purchase of 10 to 12 Rubis or Trafalgar-class submarines under technology transfer, which would be known as the Canada class.[20] with the choice of the type of submarine due to be confirmed before Summer 1988.[21] The goal was to build up a three-ocean navy and to assert Canadian sovereignty over Arctic waters.[22]
Neither design met the Canadian Statement of Requirement (SOR), the initial Rubis design being deemed noisy underwater and slow. It also came with the caveat that the first 4–5 submarines would have to be built in France. However, unlike the British Trafalgar class, the Rubis design did not require United States permission to transfer the nuclear propulsion technology, as the Americans were certain to invoke their veto of the sale to Canada. The French brought back a revision to their design baptized Canadian AMETHYSTE, underlining the fact that the proposal was for the new standard carried by the fifth French submarine of the series, Améthyste, a standard the previous four boats would also soon be upgraded to in order to solve the issues plaguing the original design, notably the noisiness.[5][6] The French also added an "ice pick" so the submarine could operate under ice and were developing a modification for their torpedo tubes which were too short to use the Mark 48 torpedoes.[23] The purchase was finally abandoned in April 1989 due to opposition to nuclear submarines, American opposition to the program and high costs, particularly with the end of the Cold War.[24][25]
↑ Milner, Marc (2010). Canada's Navy: The First Century (Seconded.). Toronto: University of Toronto Press. p.294. ISBN978-0-8020-9604-3.
Related Research Articles
An attack submarine or hunter-killer submarine is a submarine specifically designed for the purpose of attacking and sinking other submarines, surface combatants and merchant vessels. In the Soviet and Russian navies they were and are called "multi-purpose submarines". They are also used to protect friendly surface combatants and missile submarines. Some attack subs are also armed with cruise missiles, increasing the scope of their potential missions to include land targets.
The Le Redoutable-class submarine was a ballistic missile submarine class of the French Navy. In French, the type is called Sous-marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins (SNLE), literally "Missile-launching nuclear submarine". When commissioned, they constituted the strategic part of the naval component of the French nuclear triad, then called Force de frappe.
The Suffren class is a class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, designed by the French shipbuilder Naval Group for the French Navy. It is intended to replace the Rubis-class submarines. Construction began in 2007 and the lead boat of the class, Suffren, was commissioned on 6 November 2020. It officially entered active service on 3 June 2022.
Le Rubis, initially named Provence, was a first-generation nuclear attack submarine and lead boat of the Rubis class of the French Navy, assigned to the attack nuclear submarine squadron.
Améthyste is a nuclear-powered attack submarine of the French Navy, the fifth of the Rubis type. The boat's name is a pun on a precious stone (Amethyst) and the acronym AMElioration Tactique, HydrodYnamique, Silence, Transmission, Ecoute. The boat is a major upgrade upon the initial design of the Rubis type, and earlier units have since been refitted to meet her standards.
Saphir was a first-generation nuclear attack submarine of the French Navy. Saphir was the second of the Rubis series. The boat was originally to be named Bretagne, but the name was changed to Saphir before commissioning in 1981.
Casabianca was a Rubis-class nuclear attack submarine of the French Navy. Laid down in 1981, she was launched in 1984 and commissioned in 1987. She was withdrawn from service in September 2023.
Émeraude was a nuclear attack submarine from the first generation of attack submarines of the French Navy. Having been in service since 1988, she was retired in 2024.
Perle is a first-generation nuclear attack submarine of the French Navy. The boat is the sixth and last of the Rubis series. Construction began on the submarine on 27 March 1987. The boat was launched on 22 September 1990 and entered active duty service on 7 July 1993.
The Strategic Ocean Force has been the synonym of the French Submarine Forces since 1999, which the commandant commands the ensemble related to, along with the squadron of nuclear attack submarine.
The Submarine Forces of France are one of the four main components of the French Navy. The force oversees all French submarines regardless of role.
The Canada-class submarine was a proposed class of ten nuclear-powered attack submarines to be built for Canadian Forces Maritime Command with an option for two more. Announced in 1987, the class was intended to provide Maritime Command with a method for monitoring Canada's Arctic Ocean area while establishing Canadian sovereignty in the area. The announcement suffered significant public and private criticism and the project was cancelled before any of the submarines could be built.
Saphir was one of six Émeraude-class submarines built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.
The Saphir-class submarines were a class of six submarines built in France between 1926 and 1935 for the French Navy. Most saw action during World War II for the Vichy French Navy or the Free French Naval Forces. Three were captured by Italian forces but not used.
The French submarine Turquoise was a Saphir-class submarine built for the French Navy in the mid-1930s. Laid down in October 1926, it was launched in May 1929 and commissioned in September 1930. Turquoise was disarmed at Bizerte, Tunisia and renamed FR 116 after being captured there by Italian forces on 8 December 1942. Turquoise was recaptured and scuttled by German forces at Naples, Italy on 8 May 1943.
Suffren (Q284/S635) is a French nuclear attack submarine. It is the lead ship of the Suffren class, stemming from the Barracuda program. The vessel, like several others before it, is named after Vice-Admiral Pierre André de Suffren.
The SNLE 3G is a class of submarines under development for the French Navy's nuclear deterrent, part of the Force de dissuasion. It is being designed as a replacement for the current Triomphant class beginning around 2035, and could remain in service to as late as 2090. Steel was cut on the first vessel in the class in March 2024.
Duguay-Trouin (S636) is a French nuclear attack submarine and the second boat of the Suffren class. The vessel was laid down on 26 June 2009 and launched on 9 September 2022 at Cherbourg. It was commissioned on 28 July 2023.
References
Couhat, Jean Labayle, ed. (1986). Combat Fleets of the World 1986/87. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN0-85368-860-5.
Jordan, John (1995). "France". In Chumbley, Stephen (ed.). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. pp.95–131. ISBN1-55750-132-7.
Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2009). Jane's Fighting Ships 2009–2010 (112ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: Jane's Information Group Inc. ISBN978-0-7106-2888-6.
Wertheim, Eric, ed. (2013). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World (16thed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN9-7-815911-4954-5.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
Marine Nationale 
