The French Navy has awarded a €1bn contract to DCNS to maintain the navy’s fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines and nuclear ballistic missile submarines.
The company has signed a five-year contract for maintenance of the attack submarines and a five-and-a-half-year deal for the ballistic missile submarines.
Under a $500m upkeep contract, the company will provide maintenance support for the Rubis Class of submarines including the Rubis, Saphir, Casablanca, Emeraude, Améthyste and the Pearl, along with engineering and logistical services.
Work also includes major overhaul of the Casablanca, Rubis and Emeraude submarines for 18 months involving the removal and reinstallation of onboard equipment.
In addition, DCNS will also handle the interim refit of the Saphir vessel for nine months, which requires the replacement of nuclear fuel.
The ballistic missile submarine part of the contract, worth just under €500m, includes maintenance services for the oceanic force, Triomphant, Téméraire, Vigilant and Terrible submarines.
In addition, DCNS will maintain and modernise the navy’s secret nuclear facilities in the Missiessy zone at Toulon as well as the the training and tactical simulators at the submarine navigation school.
Maintenance work on the ballistic missile boats include engineering and logistical services, maintaining crew training facilities, special navy tools and ground transmission aerials.
