France Libre, Barracuda, Invincible: TechnicAtome enters a decade of unprecedented workload

With an unprecedented order book of €3.5 billion, TechnicAtome is entering a new phase of industrial ramp-up. The French specialist in naval nuclear propulsion plants is now simultaneously engaged in three major strategic programmes: the next-generation aircraft carrier, the Barracuda nuclear-powered attack submarines and the future third-generation ballistic missile submarine (SNLE 3G). 

Against a backdrop of strategic rearmament and strengthening of French defence capabilities, TechnicAtome posted sharply rising 2025 results. The group specialising in naval nuclear propulsion reported revenue of €683 million and net profit of €84 million. Above all, the company highlighted a record order book of €3.5 billion, including €2.3 billion recorded in 2025 alone.

“These are major milestones in deterrence programmes that commit us for the next ten years. These contracts represent nearly €2 billion in orders,” said Nasrine Winther, the group’s Director of Development and Strategy, during a press conference.

Three major strategic programmes

This momentum is primarily driven by three major naval nuclear propulsion programmes currently being carried out by TechnicAtome.

The first concerns the next-generation aircraft carrier (PANG) France Libre. The vessel will be equipped with two next-generation nuclear propulsion plants known as K22. Entirely new in design, they will enable the future aircraft carrier to maintain a speed of 27 knots despite a displacement close to 78,000 tonnes, nearly double that of the Charles-de-Gaulle. The target endurance is ten years between refuelling operations.

In a press release, TechnicAtome describes these propulsion plants as a “technological and industrialisation feat,” capable of “carrying twice as much energy while maintaining equally demanding safety standards.” The preliminary design phase has now been completed and the programme has entered its detailed design phase.

The second major project concerns the Barracuda nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN). The Suffren-class SSNs are intended gradually to replace the Rubis-class submarines. Larger, more enduring and quieter, they benefit from the performance provided by their nuclear propulsion.

Of the six submarines planned, three still remain to be delivered by 2030. Suffren entered active service in 2022, Duguay-Trouin in 2024 and Tourville in 2025. TechnicAtome highlights that it is maintaining a sustained pace, with a Barracuda propulsion plant starting up approximately every eighteen months. The De Grasse, fourth unit of the series, thus achieved first criticality of its nuclear propulsion plant on 12 December 2025.

Finally, the third strategic programme concerns the third-generation ballistic missile submarines (SNLE 3G), intended to replace the Le Triomphant class by 2035.

According to TechnicAtome, the SNLE 3G propulsion plant builds on the technological continuity of the K15 propulsion plants powering the current SNLEs and Barracuda SSNs, while integrating several innovations aimed at improving performance, availability, core lifetime and safety levels. The detailed design phase has now been completed and delivery of the first vessel is expected in 2037.

Maintenance, fuel and new markets

Beyond these major military programmes, TechnicAtome is also continuing its historical activities involving operational maintenance of naval nuclear propulsion plants, manufacturing of nuclear cores and fuel cycle management.

The group is also looking towards new markets. During the press conference, TechnicAtome CEO Loïc Rocard confirmed the company’s interest in industrial nuclear heat production. TechnicAtome had notably participated in the Nuward SMR project alongside EDF before leaving the programme during the redesign of its reactor concept.

Another notable development: the RES land-based test reactor, operated at Cadarache since 2018 for naval propulsion testing, is also expected to contribute to tritium production from 2027 onwards.

An industrial ramp-up that must be secured

To cope with this accumulation of programmes, TechnicAtome presented a strategic plan through to 2035 aimed at securing skills, strengthening industrial visibility across its subcontracting chain and guaranteeing contract execution.

The group currently works with around 150 partner companies, 98% of which are French. Since its creation, TechnicAtome has designed 22 onboard nuclear propulsion plants. Expertise that today only three countries possess: France, the United States and Russia. ■