Namesake Ruby Christened as Provence Renamed renamed Rubis in 1993 Construction started 11 December 1976 Length 74 m Beam 7.6 m Builder DCNS | Laid down 11 December 1976 Commissioned 23 February 1983 Homeport Toulon Launched 7 July 1979 Draft 6.4 m Endurance 1.5 months | |
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The Rubis (S 601 ; ex Provence) is a first-generation nuclear attack submarine of the French Navy assigned to the attack nuclear submarine squadron and named after French submarine Rubis which distinguished capability during World War II.
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Construction
Originally namesaked Provence and was renamed Rubis on 18 December 1980. Being the lead ship of the Rubis class, fine-tuning was long, notably needing over 1000 hours of underwater testing before commissioning. Fielded on December 11 1976 and launched on July 7 1979.
Active service
The Rubis commenced active service on February 23 1983.
Later in 1991, the Rubis formed part of the French naval contribution to the Gulf War. Between September 1992 and July 1993, Rubis undertook a major refitting which upgraded to the level of the Améthyste. Soon after, on 17 July 1993, the Rubis collided with the tanker Lyria, as the Rubis was surfacing, causing minor damages and injuries.
The Rubis also took part in Operation Trident, the 1999 bombing campaign over Yugoslavia, by protecting the aeronaval group. Along with the Améthyste, she was one of the two submarines who interdicted the Kotor straits to the Serbian Navy, thus effectively forbidding its use. She also gathered information for the coalition.
In 2002, the Rubis protected Task Force 473 in the Indian Ocean, during operation Hercules, the naval part of the invasion of Afghanistan.
On 18 July 1996, the fourragère of the Ordre de la Libération was awarded to the submarine and the crew, as a legacy of the Rubis of the Second World War, which had been awarded the medal.
On 30 March 2007, while submerged, Rubis hit the bottom, damaging her bow and sonar. She returned to operations in July 2008.
Rubis is expected to be decommissioned in the beginning of 2017.
Decorations
Since June 5 2012, the fanion of Rubis was decorated with the Cross for Military Valour with one palm.