Nuclear attack submarines get new Li-ion batteries for longer underwater missions

A European energy storage company has secured a massive defense contract to equip submarines with new lithium-ion batteries for longer underwater missions and safer operations. French battery manufacturer Saft, a subsidiary of energy and petroleum company TotalEnergies, was selected by Naval Group to supply lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for the Barracuda and Scorpene submarine families. The new deal represents a huge achievement in the adoption of advanced battery technology for military submarines. The Li-ion batteries will replace the lead-acid technology currently used in the vessels. They will provide higher energy density and enable longer underwater missions. Pierre Éric Pommellet, Naval Group Chairman and CEO, stressed the significance of the contract. “Integrating Saft’s Li-ion technology onboard the Barracuda and Scorpene submarine families is of great value, allowing us to enhance performance at sea,” he added. Li-ion submarine upgrade Lead-acid batteries have long powered diesel-electric submarines and served as backup power on nuclear submarines. They are safe, cheap, reliable and stabilize these vessels. On the other hand, they store less energy, take longer to recharge, and need more maintenance. They’re also heavier and limit how long submarines can remain underwater. To address the issue, Naval Group has selected Saft to supply lithium-ion battery systems for its Barracuda and Scorpene submarine families. The contract follows several years of collaboration between the companies. Pierre Éric Pommellet, Naval Group Chairman and CEO, and Cedric Duclos, Saft CEO, sign the deal.Credit: Saft According to Saft, the new batteries use proprietary lithium-ion cells developed and manufactured in-house. The company said they offer a major improvement over traditional lead-acid batteries. They meet strict defense safety requirements and deliver higher energy density for longer underwater missions. On top of that, they also improve operational performance and give submarines greater mission flexibility. “This is also a clear step forward for European technological sovereignty,” Cedric Duclos, Saft CEO, pointed out. The firm has been supplying battery technologies for demanding industries for more than a century. A new power source Lithium-ion batteries have increasingly attracted interest in submarine programs. This is because they can store more energy than conventional lead-acid systems, while at the same time requiring less space. The adoption of lithium-ion batteries is expected to boost the capabilities of both submarine families. “This contract confirms that advanced battery technology is now a defining factor in submarine performance,” Duclos added. The agreement expands Saft’s role in Naval Group’s submarine programs. It also stresses the growing importance of new battery tech for underwater missions. “A key differentiator behind this contract is Saft’s ability to master the entire battery value chain, starting from the core of the technology: electrochemistry,” Saft said. “Our Li-ion systems set a new standard in energy density, safety and reliability, positioning Saft at the heart of next-generation naval defense programs,” Duclos concluded in a press release. As per Saft, the agreement could create opportunities for additional international defense projects. The company is a global leader in advanced battery technology. It designs and produces high-performance solutions for safety-critical, backup power and mobility applications across land, sea, air, and space. It is fully owned by TotalEnergies, a global energy company operating across oil, natural gas, renewables, electricity, and biofuels.Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Based in Skopje, North Macedonia. Her work has appeared in Daily Mail, Mirror, Daily Star, Yahoo, NationalWorld, Newsweek, Press Gazette and others. She covers stories on batteries, wind energy, sustainable shipping and new discoveries. When she's not chasing the next big science story, she's traveling, exploring new cultures, or enjoying good food with even better wine.