Saphir (S 602)

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.

Notes and references

* [http://www.netmarine.net/bat/smarins/saphir/index.htm Sous-marin nucléaire d'attaque "Saphir"]