According to a tweet published by the French Armed Forces on August 25, 2023, the French Navy's Barracuda class nuclear attack submarine Suffren makes a port visit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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Barracuda class submarine Suffren in Abu Dhabi. (Picture source: French MoD)
The French nuclear attack submarine, Suffren, navigated through the Suez Canal as a part of its inaugural deployment to the Indian Ocean. Now under the command of ALINDIEN, the head of French forces in the maritime region of the Indian Ocean, Suffren is embarking on an operational patrol in the ocean.
This includes stops at two significant naval bases; it docked at the French naval base in Djibouti in early August, and on August 25th, it reached the naval base of the French forces stationed in the United Arab Emirates.
The naval base in Abu Dhabi serves as a strategic foothold in the northwest of the Indian Ocean. Owing to a robust partnership between France and the United Arab Emirates, French forces can support and accommodate all kinds of vessels from the French navy.
This reinforces France's commitment to ensuring regional stability, emphasizing their steadfast allegiance to international order rooted in international law and the freedom of access to shared spaces.
France has been consistent in its strategic deployments in the Indo-Pacific region, exemplified by the naval group centered around the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle earlier this year, the extended deployment of the frigate Lorraine to Southeast Asia, and the Pégase 2023 aerial projection mission executed by the French Air Force.
Suffren
The submarine is equipped with an advanced Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) system. This system, designed specifically for French Navy commandos, is attached to the submarine's rear and can endure significant underwater pressures.
Measuring 11 meters long and 3 meters wide, the DDS enhances the deployment of commandos, allowing a seamless transition between the submarine and the DDS.
