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Barracuda vs Scorpène

Overview

The Barracuda and the Scorpène are both Submarine classes.

The Barracuda displaces 4,765 tons — 3.0x the Scorpène's 1,565 tons. The Barracuda reaches 14 knots vs 12 knots for the Scorpène. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Barracuda vs 6,500 for the Scorpène. The Barracuda carries a crew of 60 vs 31 for the Scorpène. Submerged displacement is 5,300 tons for the Barracuda vs 1,900 tons for the Scorpène. The Barracuda can dive to 350 m compared to 350 m for the Scorpène.

The Barracuda was produced in 4 units vs 14 for the Scorpène. Cost per hull is $1,730M for the Barracuda vs $450M for the Scorpène. The Barracuda was commissioned in 2020, 15 years after the Scorpène (2005).

French Naval Group nuclear attack submarine (SSN) replacing the Rubis class: 5,300 t submerged, K15 reactor with pump-jet propulsion, armed with F21 torpedoes and MdCN cruise missiles.
Profile of Barracuda
Origin 🇫🇷 France
Category Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered attack submarine
Manufacturer Naval Group (reactor by TechnicAtome)
Year introduced 2020
Number built 4 units
Estimated unit price $1,730 million
French diesel-electric submarine, 1,565 tons displacement, utilizes air-independent propulsion.
Profile of Scorpène
Origin 🇫🇷 France
Category Submarine
Type Diesel-electric attack submarine
Manufacturer Naval Group
Year introduced 2005
Number built 14 units
Estimated unit price $450 million
Displacement 4,765 tons
Maximum speed 14.0 knots
Range Unlimited
Length 99.5 m
Beam 8.8 m
Crew 60
Max depth 350 m
Propulsion 1 x K15 pressurised-water reactor, 150 MW; 2 turbo-generators; pump-jet propulsion
Armament

4 x 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes with 20 reloads for: F21 Artemis heavyweight torpedoes, MdCN land-attack cruise missiles (range over 1,000 km), Exocet SM39 Mod2 anti-ship missiles, and FG29 multi-influence mines. Can embark up to 15 special-forces commandos via a removable dry deck shelter with the PSM3G swimmer delivery vehicle.

Displacement 1,565 tons
Maximum speed 12.0 knots
Range 6,500 nm at 8 knots
Length 61.7 m
Beam 6.2 m
Crew 31
Max depth 350 m
Propulsion Diesel-electric, Batteries, Air-independent propulsion (AIP), MESMA AIP, DRDO PAFC Fuel Cell AIP
Armament
  • 6 x 533 mm torpedo tubes
  • 18 Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei Black Shark heavyweight torpedoes
  • SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles
  • A3SM (MICA) anti-air missiles
  • 30 mines

Performance Radar Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Barracuda-class or Scorpène-class?
The Barracuda-class has greater displacement at 4,765 tons compared to the Scorpène-class's 1,565 tons.
Which is faster, the Barracuda-class or Scorpène-class?
The Barracuda-class is faster with a maximum speed of 14 knots compared to the Scorpène-class's 12 knots.
Which has longer range, the Barracuda-class or Scorpène-class?
The Barracuda-class is nuclear-powered with unlimited range, while the Scorpène-class has a range of 6,500 nautical miles.
Which is longer, the Barracuda-class or Scorpène-class?
The Barracuda-class is longer at 99.5 meters compared to the Scorpène-class's 61.7 meters.
How many crew members do the Barracuda-class and Scorpène-class have?
The Barracuda-class has a larger crew complement of 60 compared to the Scorpène-class's 31 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Barracuda-class or Scorpène-class?
The Scorpène-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 350 meters compared to the Barracuda-class's 350 meters.
Which is more expensive, the Barracuda-class or Scorpène-class?
The Barracuda-class is more expensive at approximately $1.7 billion per unit compared to the Scorpène-class at $450 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Barracuda-class or Scorpène-class?
The Scorpène-class has been built in greater numbers with 14 vessels compared to 4 vessels of the Barracuda-class.