Le Redoutable-class

The Le Redoutable class was authorized in 1963 as the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine component of the French Navy's nuclear deterrence force. Development followed a shift in French foreign policy under President Charles de Gaulle, which emphasized military independence and the creation of a submarine-based nuclear deterrent. France developed the technology without external assistance, as the United States did not provide enriched uranium for reactor development. The French Navy collaborated with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission to construct and test a land-based reactor at Cadarache. Development also included the creation of high-tensile steel and the adaptation of submarine hull designs for nuclear propulsion. Missile guidance and navigation systems were tested using the submarine Gymnote before the class entered production.

Designated Sous-marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins (SNLE), the class is powered by a pressurized water reactor. This system drives turbines and alternators connected to a single propeller via a turbo reduction drive. The design includes an emergency electric propulsion system and requires two rotating crews for operation. The final vessel of the class, Inflexible, incorporated structural changes that distinguish it from the earlier boats.

The lead ship, Redoutable, was commissioned in 1971. Six submarines were completed between 1971 and 1985. The vessels were originally equipped with M1 ballistic missiles, followed by transitions to M2 and M20 variants. Between 1985 and 1993, all vessels except for the lead ship were upgraded to carry M4 missiles. The class was replaced by the Triomphant class and all vessels were decommissioned by 2008. Redoutable was removed from active service in 1991 and opened as a museum ship at the Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg-Octeville in 2002.