French nuclear attack submarine Perle has spent 12 years underwater since 1993 (opex360.com)

• Since 1993, the French SNA Perle has spent 12 years underwater.
• A fire in June 2020 during an overhaul at Toulon heavily damaged the bow.
• Repairs allowed the submarine to return to service despite severe damage.
• The milestone reflects the operational capacity of the French nuclear submarine fleet.

"The French Rubis-class nuclear attack submarine Perle has accumulated the equivalent of 12 years underwater since its commissioning in 1993. This milestone comes despite a severe fire in June 2020 that destroyed its bow while in dry dock at Toulon. The extensive damage threatened to retire the vessel, but successful repairs allowed it to return to service. The submarine's long underwater tenure demonstrates the durability and operational readiness of the French Navy's nuclear submarine fleet."