Rare images inside France's Rubis-class nuclear submarine

Rare images inside a French nuclear submarine

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 19:00 PM (GMT+7)

In mid-April 2024, the AP news agency had a rare opportunity to access a Rubis-class submarine of the French navy as it prepared for a new mission.

France's nuclear-powered submarine fleet is shrouded in secrecy. Even when journalists are allowed to work, all images are censored to avoid revealing submarine technology and security measures at the docks.

On the cramped ship, the crew of the Rubis-class nuclear-powered submarine crammed into a small compartment and carried out maintenance work.

This is one of three Rubis-class attack submarines based in Toulon, southern France. Each boat has a crew of 70.

Powered by a nuclear reactor, the ship does not need to refuel frequently and can patrol the ocean for months at a time.

Rubis can carry anti-submarine, anti-ship torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. Its main job is to protect France's four larger nuclear-armed submarines.

The nuclear-powered submarine is scheduled to escort the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle during the Neptune Strike exercise in the Mediterranean with ships from 32 countries of the NATO military alliance.

On April 26, 2024, NATO began implementing an exercise on the integration of advanced maritime strike capabilities to mark its 75th anniversary.

This is the first time the French Navy has transferred control of the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier strike group under direct NATO command during the exercise.

The main objective of this event is to train NATO's ability to maintain freedom of navigation, secure strategic chokepoints at sea, and conduct deterrence operations to enhance the Alliance's readiness to defend.

Neptune Strike is scheduled to take place from April 26 to May 10, 2024.

Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Bienvenu, commander of the Rubis-class submarine, said the vessel could also be deployed on other missions if necessary.

“The international situation can change, it can evolve rapidly, even during the mission. And we are able to respond to any request,” said Manuel Bienvenu.

The French Navy is replacing its Rubis-class submarines with more modern and more heavily armed nuclear-powered submarines.

The first of the new Suffren-class attack submarines entered service in June 2022. The second, Duguay Trouin, entered service this April. Four more Suffren-class submarines will join the fleet by 2030.

They will replace three Rubis-class submarines built in the 1980s. Previously, from 2019 to 2023, France retired three submarines of the same type.

PV (According to ANTĐ)

Source: https://danviet.vn/hinh-anh-hiem-hoi-ben-trong-tau-ngam-hat-nhan-lop-rubis-cua-phap-20240430161405525.htm