French Navy press release – Translated from French by Naval News
The shot was fired with a warhead-fitted heavyweight F21 torpedo – not a test one, capable of destroying both surface and underwater threats. Part of the Polaris approach to high-intensity preparation, this experiment tested the capabilities of this new-generation weapon. Designed to equip Rubis-class and Suffren-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, as well as nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), the F21 torpedo represents an evolution in the armament of these units, with a level of stealth, range, strike speed and detection capabilities superior to previous weapons.
This campaign planned in the frame of the military programming law is of major interest to our forces. It comes as close as possible to reality, and provides unprecedented human and operational lessons. BZ to our sailors!
The complexity and demanding nature of the environment in which the participants evolved strengthened the pugnacity of the crews, and fed tactical reflections on tomorrow’s warfare. The Polaris approach is in line with this approach, and is helping the Navy to grow in these domains.
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Naval News comments:
The event marked the first time the new F21 torpedo was “live fired” (i.e. with a warhead) against a target ship. Contacted by Naval News, a French Navy spokesperson explained this test was not a “SINKEX” (sinking exercise). “We do not speak about “SINKEX” because the primary objective [of this test] is to measure the effects of the F21 on a real target. In addition the term “SINKEX” is a dated term, which refers to something different from this shot. The official term used for this experiment is “realistic target shooting””.
This event is very significant as live ammo firing against surface targets has become a rarity in France. The spokesperson confirmed that the last French Navy “SINKEX” took place two decades ago. In 2004 with the sinking of the decommissioned LST Champlain off the coast of la Martinique island in the Caribbean Sea (French oversea territory). The same year, the frigate Commandant Bory was also sunk during a SINKEX.
The French Navy spokesperson declined to disclose the name or exact class of the SSN which launched the new generation torpedo citing “operational reasons”. Naval News understands the test likely took place in the Atlantic. There were some notice to mariners published last week in the Bay of Biscay for live fire exercise while none were published in the Mediterranean Sea off Toulon. In addition, the target ship was previously based in Brest and decommissioned earlier this year. The submarine involved was likely the first-in-class submarine Suffren as the SSN was recently spotted in Brest area.
The spokesperson confirmed that the F21 new generation heavyweight torpedo is fully operational on all French submarines.
This test is also a strategic message of the French Navy’s readiness. While Marine Nationale crews regulary conduct missiles firing (Crews of each major combatant vessel are expect to live-fire a “complex weapon system” once every two year, a rule put in place by former Chief of Staff of the French Navy Admiral Prazuck), the launch of warhead-fitted torpedoes against decommissioned ships are a rarity among European navies. This can be explained by the new environmental standards and the lack of appropriate decommissioned assets.
The French Navy Chief of Staff – Admiral Nicolas Vaujour commented the exercise as follow:
“As part of an experimental firing, one of our nuclear attack submarines fired a combat torpedo against a hull.
The firing was a success. It testifies to the Navy’s high level of preparation, against a backdrop of escalating conflicts and complex aeromaritimes operations.
The main objective: to raise the level of training and reinforce crew know-how. The firing was carried out under the most realistic conditions possible, with scenarios adapted to the new threats.
The hull, which had been fully cleaned and secured, sank to a depth of over 4,000 meters. It presents no danger, either to the environment or to maritime activities.“
This live firing exercise is part of a new type of exercise strategy called POLARIS. Put in place by former head of French Navy Admiral Vandier, POLARIS exercises are designed to increase the complexity and intensity of training for crews and ships, to make them better prepared to high intensity combat. One concrete result of POLARIS (which started in 2021) if the high performance of French crews in the Red Sea theater.
About F21 Heavyweight Torpedo
The F21 heavyweight torpedo is the last generation in service within the French Navy equipping submarines fleet replacing ageing F17 Mod. 2. The first batch of torpedoes was delivered back in November 2019 and delivery of new batches is still ongoing.
According to Naval Group, the F21 features exceptional performances, fulfilling the stringent French Navy requirements: advanced self-guided mode, shallow and confined water capability, latest generation of countermeasures resistance and compliance with nuclear submarines safety norms. Thanks to its intelligence, range and firepower, it offers navies an unrivaled tactical advantage by increasing the spectrum of operational scenarios.
The F21 has a standard NATO diameter (533 mm), a length of 6 meters and weighs 1,550 Kg. It has a speed in excess of 50 knots and a range of more than 27 nautical miles (50 Km). Its operational attack depth is comprised between -33 feet (10 m) and +1,630 feet (500 m).
The torpedo is wire-guided initially and then uses acoustic homing. Its advanced intelligence creates a complete tactical picture and optimizes the torpedo’s decision-making (trajectory, speed, immersion, detection mode, etc.) to maximize its probability of success. Equipped with a high-performance sonar suite and demonstrating great discretion, it can detect and engage its target while avoiding initial detection.
Its electric motor is driven by an aluminum silver-oxide (AgO-Al) battery. The back end of the torpedo is provided by Atlas Elektronik (and is said to come from the SeaHake mod4) which allowed French engineers from the DGA and Naval Group to fully focus their time and budget during the research and development phase on the intelligence, guidance and tracking features of the F21.
An “F21 Mod 2” evolution is funded and being developed. One of the many improvements include a fully French back end / propulsion section.
Xavier Vavasseur contributed to this story.
