'The French Navy's next-generation Barracuda nuclear attack submarine is expected to deliver enhanced capabilities, while its designers are striving to meet challenging cost targets… The entry into service of the ballistic missile submarine Le Redoubtable in 1971 saw France join the still small band of countries to have mastered the engineering complexities associated with the design and build of a nuclear-powered submarine. The Cherbourg shipyard that accomplished this feat has gone on to build a further eight nuclear-powered ballistic missile boats (Sous-marin nucleaire lanceur d'engins, SNLE), with one more about to commence sea trials, plus six nuclear attack submarines (Sous-marin nucleaire d'attaque, SNA).'