Europe
Blacksword Barracuda: Naval Group showcases at EURONAVAL the submarine it has also offered to Greece
Naval Group put the Blacksword Barracuda back in the spotlight at EURONAVAL 2026: a conventional submarine with six torpedo tubes, up to 30 heavy weapons and lithium-ion batteries, already chosen by the Netherlands and offered to Greece.
With a video released for EURONAVAL 2026, Naval Group is putting the Blacksword Barracuda (BSB) back in the spotlight: the conventional submarine the Netherlands has already chosen and which has also been offered to Greece. The BSB is based on the Barracuda class of the French Navy’s new-generation nuclear attack submarines, and the group promotes it with the slogan “superiority at sea, in all seas” in a post on X on Thursday, November 5.
Six torpedo tubes and up to 30 heavy weapons
The submarine is designed for first-line navies, as an open-sea boat that can take on many missions: anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, deep strikes, special operations and intelligence gathering. It has six torpedo tubes that launch every type of weapon and can carry up to 30 heavy weapons: torpedoes, anti-ship missiles or cruise missiles. Naval Group speaks of unprecedented firepower for a conventionally powered submarine.
From the Barracudas it inherits the hydrodynamic design and the systems that reduce acoustic and magnetic signature, combining quiet operation with manoeuvrability. Another significant innovation is the lithium-ion batteries, developed by Naval Group in cooperation with Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies. Compared with classic lead-acid batteries they store more energy, offer a high level of safety and increase the boat’s submerged endurance.
A small crew, with room for commandos and drones
A high degree of automation allows a crew of about 35, with space for additional teams such as commandos or specialists. Part of the boat is configured according to the mission: it can host special forces, additional intelligence-gathering assets or underwater drones. The combat system and the internal and external installations allow the launch of aerial and underwater unmanned vehicles. Each customer can also adapt systems and equipment to its own operational requirements, while the modular design leaves room for the buyer’s national industry to take part.
An example is the Dutch RNSC programme, under which the Royal Netherlands Navy will acquire four conventional attack submarines of the Orka class, which will ultimately be armed with the F21 heavy torpedo. On the French side, Saft supplies the batteries, Jeumont the electric motor, Schneider Electric the electrical panels and Thales the sonars, while the diesel engines come from MTU. Dutch companies such as Royal IHC, RH Marine, Van Halteren Technologies, Bolidt and Verebus take on, among other things, structures and sections, electrical control and distribution systems, coatings, hydraulics and integrated logistic support.
For Naval Group, the BSB answers a field of naval warfare in which threats multiply and drones are used more and more in combat. More details are in the group’s presentation of the submarine. For the German alternative in Athens’ submarine deliberations, see our report on the U212 CD.
