GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily
Head-to-head

Lafayette vs Le Redoutable

Le Redoutable submarine side profile drawing
🇫🇷 Le Redoutable
Change comparison vs
Specifications
Lafayette Le Redoutable
Origin 🇺🇸 United States 🇫🇷 France
Category Submarine Submarine
Type Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
Manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat Arsenal de Cherbourg (DCAN)
Year introduced 1963 1971
Number built 9 units 6 units
Estimated unit price NA NA
Displacement 7,443 tons 8,000 tons
Maximum speed 16.0 knots 15.0 knots
Range Unlimited Unlimited
Length 130.0 m 128.0 m
Beam 10.0 m 10.6 m
Crew 140 135
Max depth 400 m 200 m
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Systems
Lafayette Le Redoutable
Armament
  • 16 Polaris A2/A3 or Poseidon C3 missiles
  • 4 × 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • 12 torpedoes
  • 16 × M4 MSBS (Mer-Sol Balistique Stratégique) nuclear missiles
  • 4 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • F-17 and L-5 torpedoes
  • SM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile
Propulsion 1 × S5W PWR, 2 geared steam turbines (15,000 shp (11,000 kW)), 1 shaft One PWR 16,000 shp (12,000 kW), HEU <= 90%

Overview

The Lafayette and the Le Redoutable are both Submarine classes.

Displacement is 7,443 tons for the Lafayette vs 8,000 tons for the Le Redoutable. The Lafayette reaches 16 knots vs 15 knots for the Le Redoutable. Operational range is 99,999 nautical miles for the Lafayette vs 99,999 for the Le Redoutable. The Lafayette carries a crew of 140 vs 135 for the Le Redoutable. Submerged displacement is 8,383 tons for the Lafayette vs 9,000 tons for the Le Redoutable. The Lafayette can dive to 400 m compared to 200 m for the Le Redoutable.

The Lafayette was produced in 9 units vs 6 for the Le Redoutable. The Lafayette was commissioned in 1963, 8 years before the Le Redoutable (1971).

Related Comparisons
Lafayette vs Whiskey Lafayette vs Romeo Lafayette vs Foxtrot Lafayette vs Improved Kilo Lafayette vs Kilo Lafayette vs Type 209

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has greater displacement, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
The Le Redoutable-class has greater displacement at 8,000 tons compared to the Lafayette-class's 7,443 tons.
Which is faster, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
The Lafayette-class is faster with a maximum speed of 16 knots compared to the Le Redoutable-class's 15 knots.
Which has longer range, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
Both the Lafayette-class and Le Redoutable-class are nuclear-powered and have unlimited range, limited only by food supplies and crew endurance.
Which is longer, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
The Lafayette-class is longer at 130.0 meters compared to the Le Redoutable-class's 128.0 meters.
How many crew members do the Lafayette-class and Le Redoutable-class have?
The Lafayette-class has a larger crew complement of 140 compared to the Le Redoutable-class's 135 crew members.
Which can dive deeper, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
The Lafayette-class can dive deeper with a maximum depth of 400 meters compared to the Le Redoutable-class's 200 meters.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Lafayette-class or Le Redoutable-class?
The Lafayette-class has been built in greater numbers with 9 vessels compared to 6 vessels of the Le Redoutable-class.