On March 17, a French Navy Rubis-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) escorting the French Carrier Strike Group (TF 473) during the Foch mission carried out a "linkex" type exercise with an E-2C Hawkeye AEW aircraft from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
On July 3, 2019, the French Navy nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) 'Saphir' reached the port of Cherbourg in Normandie for decommissioning. After 35 years of service, 'Saphir' will be the first of six Rubis-class SSNs to be retired from active duty at the end of July 2019. The Rubis-class will be replaced by the new Suffren-class / Barracuda type SSN with the first submarine set for launch on July 12th at Naval Group' shipyard in Cherbourg.
