The Triomphant class of strategic missile submarines of the French Navy are currently being introduced into service to provide the sea based component of the French nuclear deterrent or Force de frappe, with the M45 SLBM. They are replacing the Redoutable-class boats. They are called SNLE-NG for Sous-Marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins de Nouvelle Génération (New Generation Nuclear vehicle-launching submarines). They are roughtly 1000 (one thousand) times quieter than the Redoutable-class vessels, and 10 times more sensitive. It is designed to carry the M51 nuclear missile, which should enter active service around 2010.

The vessels are manufactured by DCN and have a capacity of 16 missiles manufactured by Aerospatiale (now EADS Space Transportation.)

The French Navy hopes to operate a force of four SSBNs, as with the Royal Navy's Vanguard fleet.

• Triomphant : Construction began on 9 June 1989; she was launched on 26 March 1994, and entered active service on 21 March 1997.

• Téméraire : Construction began on 18 December 1993; she was launched on 21 January 1998, and entered active service on 23 December 1999.

• Vigilant : Construction began in 1997; she was launched in 2003, and entered active service in 2004.

• Terrible : Construction began on 24 October 2000 and she is currently under construction. She should join active service by 2008.

Tape de bouche (arms) of Triomphant

See also

• France and weapons of mass destruction