Saphir (S 602)

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Career (France)
Namesake:	Sapphire
Laid down:	1 September 1979
Launched:	1 September 1981
Commissioned:	6 July 1984
Renamed:	renamed Saphir in 1980
Homeport:	Toulon
Fate:	In active sevice
General characteristics
Class and type:	Rubis class submarine
Displacement:	2600 t (2400 t surfaced)
Length:	73.6 m
Beam:	7.6 m
Draught:	6.4 m
Propulsion:	Pressurised water K48 nuclear reactor (48 MW) ; 2 turbo-alternators ; 1 electric engine (7 MW); one propeller 1 diesel-alternators SEMT Pielstick 8 PA 4V 185 SM; one auxiliary engine, 5 MW.
Speed:	over 25 knots (46 km/h)
Range:	-
Endurance:	45 days
Test depth:	over 300 m
Complement:	10 officers 52 warrant officers 8 petty officers
Sensors and processing systems:	DMUX 20 multifonction ETBF DSUV 62C towed antenna DRUA 33 radar
Electronic warfare and decoys:	ARUR 16
Armament:	Anti-submarine : 4 x 533 mm tubes for F17 mod2 torpedoes Anti-surface : 14 Exocet SM39 Mines

The Saphir (S 602) is a first-generation nuclear attack submarine of the French Navy. She was to be named Bretagne but was renamed Saphir in 1981.

She is the second of the Rubis series. Between October 1989 and May 1991, she undertook a major refit which upgraded her to the level of the Améthyste.

In September 2001, she torpedoed and sank the ex-destroyer D'Estrée expended as a targert ship off Toulon.

[edit] Photographs

v • d • e Rubis class submarines S601 Rubis (ex-Provence) — S602 Saphir (ex-Bretagne) — S603 Casabianca (ex-Bourgogne) — S604 Emeraude — S605 Améthyste — S606 Perle S607 Turquoise (canceled) — S608 Diamant (canceled)