French Navy Tests New F21 Torpedo in Live Fire Exercise
A decommissioned naval vessel was sunk during the first operational test of the advanced F21 torpedo, showcasing enhanced capabilities for modern warfare preparation.
- The French Navy conducted a live fire exercise on December 14, using the F21 heavyweight torpedo to sink the decommissioned patrol vessel PM L'Her in the Atlantic Ocean.
- This marks the first operational use of the F21 torpedo, designed to equip Rubis- and Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines and ballistic missile submarines with improved stealth, range, speed, and detection capabilities.
- The exercise was part of the Polaris training strategy, which aims to prepare naval forces for high-intensity combat scenarios and enhance crew readiness for modern threats.
- The torpedo successfully demonstrated its ability to neutralize surface and underwater targets, with the operation conducted under realistic conditions using a fully armed warhead.
- The French Navy emphasized that the operation posed no environmental or maritime risks, as the target vessel had been fully cleaned and now rests at a depth of over 4,000 meters.
Le Journal du Dimanche 
Le Figaro 
Naval News 