French Navy Sinks Decommissioned Ship With Powerful Heavyweight Torpedo In Live-Fire Exercise

Live firing on real target — Image Credits: French Navy

The French Navy successfully tested its advanced F21 heavyweight torpedo in a live-fire exercise on December 14, 2024.

The torpedo was fired from a nuclear attack submarine (SNA) at the retired corvette Premier Maître L’Her, which had been prepared for disposal.

The F21 torpedo, replacing the older F17 variant, is designed to target both surface ships and submarines. It features advanced stealth, precise targeting, and extended range. The weapon is 20 feet long, weighs over 1.5 tonnes, and carries a 440-pound warhead.

With a top speed of 50 knots, it can strike targets up to 30 nautical miles away and operate at depths of up to 1,600 feet.

The F21 uses an electric propulsion system powered by a single-use aluminium-silver oxide battery. It is guided by a wire for most of its journey, switching to acoustic homing for final targeting.

This ensures high accuracy even in challenging conditions, and the torpedo can be targeted mid-course if necessary.

Sinking Corvette — Image Credits: French Navy

The Premier Maître L’Her was intentionally sunk in this exercise. Images released by the Navy showed the torpedo striking the ship just aft of the deckhouse, breaking its keel and causing it to sink quickly.

The retired corvette, an 80.5-meter-long D’Estienne d’Orves-class vessel, has served the French Navy for over four decades. It was decommissioned in July 2024 after completing missions like anti-piracy operations off Somalia and migrant rescue efforts in the Mediterranean.

Before the test, the Premier Maître L’Her underwent thorough decontamination to remove hazardous materials. The Navy ensured the operation followed environmental regulations, with the ship being sunk far offshore to minimise risks to marine life and maritime activities.

Officials discussed the importance of testing advanced weapons like the F21 under realistic conditions, as such trials provide valuable insights into the operational readiness of the fleet and the crew’s performance.

The French arms procurement agency explained that the F21 is designed to neutralise vessels equipped with advanced detection and countermeasure systems.

This exercise also tested the resilience of the crew operating in complex situations.

Reference: French Navy

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