How a Rubis-Class ‘Sank’ a U.S. Aircraft Carrier (In Simulated War Games)

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Key Points and Summary: France’s Rubis-class nuclear attack submarines, introduced in the late Cold War era, were a major leap from conventional Daphné-class boats. Their nuclear propulsion granted the French Navy greater stealth, endurance, and underwater staying power.

-Nevertheless, the Rubis subs’ relatively small size and aging technology now hinder them, as modern sonar systems, sensors, and propulsion designs surpass their capabilities. Maintenance and reactor issues have also diminished operational availability.

-Although they showcased formidable potential in international exercises, including a simulated sinking of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, the Rubis-class is slated for retirement. The newer, more advanced Suffren-class will fully replace them.

Rubis-Class Submarines: How France Revolutionized Nuclear Undersea Power

The Rubis-class submarines are nuclear-powered attack submarines designed and built for the French Navy. The class also holds the distinction as France’s first generation of nuclear attack submarines and has played a vital role in France’s underwater warfare capabilities since its introduction in the latter stages of the Cold War.

Despite its advanced design for its time, the class is now approaching the end of its operational life, with plans for a replacement already in place.

Replacing the Daphné-Class

The Rubis class was developed to replace the aging Daphné-class diesel-electric submarines, which were introduced in the very early days of the Cold War, which, at the time, held the distinction of being the backbone of the French Navy’s submarine fleet.

The Daphné-class boats, while reliable, faced limitations thanks to their conventional — that is, non-nuclear — propulsion systems, which required surfacing and oxygen to recharge batteries.

The Rubis-class gave the French Navy the advantage of nuclear propulsion, facilitating significantly greater underwater endurance, speed, and range — an essential component for Paris to project power around the globe.

Strengths of the Rubis-class

One of the Rubis class’s key strengths is its nuclear propulsion system, which allows it to remain submerged for extremely long periods, limited only by the endurance of its crew and onboard foodstuff and other crew supplies. This gives it a significant advantage over diesel-electric submarines in terms of stealth and persistence, particularly in open-ocean operations.

Weaknesses and Limitations of This Submarine 

Despite its strengths, the Rubis-class had several significant weaknesses. The submarine’s relatively small size, while certainly an advantage in some scenarios, particularly in shallower waters, also puts limits on its physical payload capacity. For blue-water sailing in the open ocean, or in high-intensity or prolonged operations, the class’ diminutive size would have been a significant limitation compared to larger, nuclear-powered submarines.

The physical size of the Rubis-class aside, one of the fundamental limitations of the submarines as time goes on is the class’ technological limitations. The submarines, developed in the 1970s, have become increasingly outdated over time, particularly in comparison to modern submarines with quieter propulsion systems and more advanced combat systems.

The submarines have also faced criticism for maintenance challenges and issues with their reactor systems, which have, at times, negatively affected their operational availability. As newer submarines enter service globally, the Rubis-class is increasingly outmatched in terms of stealth, sensors, and weaponry.

War Games and the “Sinking” of a U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier

The Rubis-class gained international attention during joint war games with the United States Navy when one of these submarines reportedly “sank” an American aircraft carrier during simulated exercises.

These exercises demonstrated that Rubis-class’s stealth and operational proficiency, while inferior to more modern designs, could nevertheless achieve significant success in some circumstances.

It also reflected great credit to the French submarine crew operating the submarine in a challenging, modern naval warfare scenario.

Retirement and Replacement

The Rubis class is slated for retirement in the early 2030s, with the first subs already being phased out. Its replacement is the Suffren-class, part of the Barracuda program, which represents the next generation of French nuclear attack submarines.

Compared to the Rubis-class, the Suffren-class offers significant advantages in stealth, endurance, and versatility, including quieter propulsion systems, more modern and advanced sensors, and the ability to launch cruise missiles in addition to conventional torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.

Conclusion

The Rubis-class submarine has served as a critical component — indeed the backbone — of France’s naval capabilities for over four decades.

Though certainly extremely versatile when the submarines were introduced into service with the French Navy, its aging design has begun to limit its battlefield effectiveness in a rapidly modernizing undersea battlefield.

About the Author: Caleb Larson 

Caleb Larson is an American multiformat journalist based in Berlin, Germany. His work covers the intersection of conflict and society, focusing on American foreign policy and European security. He has reported from Germany, Russia, and the United States. Most recently, he covered the war in Ukraine, reporting extensively on the war’s shifting battle lines from Donbas and writing on the war’s civilian and humanitarian toll. Previously, he worked as a Defense Reporter for POLITICO Europe. You can follow his latest work on X.