A picture is worth a thousand words. And to demonstrate the destructive power of a weapon, sometimes you have to use it. This is exactly what the French Navy did on December 14, 2024. In fact, to test a new torpedo, the naval branch of the French army simply destroyed one of its ships, the First Master. Her… removed from service since June 2024.
The impressive images of the explosion
It was on social networks that the French Navy posted images of the destruction of the aviso, a high-seas patrol vessel, First Master L'Her or PM L'Her.
On this one filmed from the sky we can therefore observe the ship being hit on the side by an F21 torpedo and being sent to the bottom after being cut in two. Obviously, as you can imagine, no one was on board the 1,200-ton warship sent to the bottom for the exercise.
The French Navy even specified on Facebook that the hull of the PM L'Her had been decontaminated for the occasion.
What is the F21 torpedo?
Beyond testing its equipment in “real conditions”, the French Navy surely wishes to show other powers that it has what it takes to send, very easily, warships to the bottom from its nuclear attack submarines ( SNA).
Indeed, the F21 torpedo aims to be equipped on SNAs of the Suffren and Rubis classes as well as nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and its capabilities are chilling.
6 meters long, it is equipped with an autoguidance system operated by sound which can therefore allow it to pursue a target over a maximum range of 27 nautical miles (50 km).
Silent, the F21 torpedo can also be guided from the submarine that launched it and can travel underwater at 50 knots (93 km/h). In short, the French Navy has got its hands on a destructive weapon.
The French Navy will surely plan other exercises
To continue to demonstrate its capabilities in the production of weapons capable of curbing possible enemy attempts, the French Navy will surely organize other firings of its F21 torpedo in real conditions.
In any case, this is what the Ministry of the Armed Forces announced on December 18, 2024. “Given the tightening of the international context and the putting into service of the latest generation of complex munitions, it now appears relevant and possible to resort again, on an ad hoc basis, to such weapons experiments at sea.”
So expect to possibly see other ships withdrawn from service take the full brunt of F21 torpedo fire from Navy vehicles.
Source: Ministry of the Armed Forces
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
