A nuclear submarine of the French Navy sank a decommissioned corvette of the D’Estienne d’Orves class during a military exercise, marking a significant advancement in the use of modern submarine weaponry.
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The French Ministry of Defense confirmed that the ship Premier maître L’Her was destroyed by a heavy torpedo of the F21 type, developed by the French company Naval Group.
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Exercise with the F21 Torpedo
The F21 torpedo, with a diameter of 533 mm, is designed to equip nuclear attack submarines of the Rubis and Suffren classes, and can also be used in the torpedo tubes of intercontinental ballistic missile submarines of the Triomphant class.
According to official sources, the decommissioned corvette was thoroughly cleaned of substances that could cause environmental impact before being sunk.
Features of the F21 Torpedo
Developed to replace the F17 torpedoes, the F21 represents the pinnacle of torpedo technology. Its main features include:
- Gross weight: 1.5 tons, including a 200 kg warhead.
- Dimensions: 6 meters in length and 0.53 meters in diameter.
- Maximum range: 57 kilometers.
- Speed: Up to 93 km/h, powered by two propellers.
- Operational depth: From 10 to 500 meters.
- Control system: Initially wire-guided, followed by an autonomous homing system in the final approach to the target.
Strategic Impact
Since 2018, the French Navy has been integrating the F21 torpedo into all its nuclear submarines. Designed to destroy both surface ships and enemy submarines, the F21 is considered a crucial weapon to maintain French naval superiority.
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The destruction of the corvette Premier maître L’Her highlights the destructive power and precision of this advanced weapon, demonstrating the capability of French naval forces to operate effectively in modern combat scenarios.
Source and images: X @MarineNationale / Naval Group. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.