Saphir-class submarine (1928)

The Saphir-class was a class of six submarines built for the French Navy in the late 1920s and early 1930s. These submarines were part of France's extensive interwar naval construction program aimed at modernizing and expanding its submarine fleet. The class comprised the Saphir, Turquoise, Nautilus, Rubis, Diamant, and Perle.

Designed as minelaying submarines, the Saphir-class was equipped to carry and deploy mines through two internal mine rails located externally on either side of the pressure hull. This capability allowed them to operate offensively by laying minefields in enemy waters. In addition to their minelaying role, they were also armed with torpedoes for anti-ship warfare and deck guns for surface engagements.

The Saphir-class submarines displaced approximately 761 tons surfaced and 925 tons submerged. They were powered by diesel engines for surface propulsion and electric motors for underwater movement, providing a respectable range and speed for their time.

Throughout the 1930s, the Saphir-class served in various roles, participating in fleet exercises and patrols. During World War II, they saw action in both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the submarines, like Rubis, operated with the Free French Naval Forces after the fall of France, playing a vital role in the Allied war effort. Others remained under Vichy French control. The Saphir-class faced varying fates during the war, with some being scuttled to prevent capture, lost in action, or surviving until the end of the conflict. They represent a significant chapter in French submarine history, highlighting the development of specialized submarine capabilities in the interwar and wartime periods.