Marine Nationale has rolled out the French Navy’s fifth Suffren-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, SNA Rubis, from the construction hall at its Cherbourg facility on Oct. 16.The submarine is being transferred to the DME (Dispositif de Mise à l’Eau) launching facility in the Cachin basin in preparation for its launch. The latest milestone marked a key step before the submarine’s launch, dockside trials, sea trials, and subsequent delivery to the Navy. Under the Barracuda programme, the French Navy is procuring six Suffren-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) to replace its Rubis-class SSNs. The programme is led by the French defence procurement agency (DGA), in partnership with the French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA) for nuclear boilers