Naval Group has awarded Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, a contract to supply advanced lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems for its Barracuda and Scorpene-class submarines.
This contract follows years of close collaboration between the two firms to adapt Li-ion systems for military submarine applications.
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Designed and manufactured in-house, Saft’s Li-ion batteries will replace traditional lead-acid systems, offering increased energy density and longer underwater endurance for the submarines.
The company claimed that its batteries offer enhanced operational and mission flexibility as well as compliance with stringent defence safety requirements.
Saft also pointed to its role in overseeing all stages of the battery value chain, from electrochemistry to system production, as a distinguishing factor for the contract.
Saft CEO Cedric Duclos said: “This contract confirm[s] that advanced battery technology is now a defining factor in submarine performance. Our Li-ion systems set a new standard in energy density, safety and reliability, positioning Saft at the heart of next-generation naval defence programmes.”
According to data and analytics platform GlobalData, lithium-ion batteries represent a significant advance over lead-acid technology in naval platforms, delivering greater energy output in a lighter and smaller package, along with a lower self-discharge rate.
While the theoretical operational lifetime of Li-ion batteries can range from four to eight years, limited in-service experience means long-term performance is still being evaluated.
At present, only Japan’s Soryu– and Taigei-class submarines are known to use this technology.
Saft stated that its partnership with Naval Group aims to develop and supply critical technologies for European customers, supporting the need for sovereign defence capabilities and potentially serving future international projects.
