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GV PAN Submarine on slipway
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SV Undersecretary of Defence looking on
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SV Submarine down slipway and into water
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SV People watch from dockside
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SV Submarine with crew on deck. (2 shots)
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SV Sailing ship decorated with bunting docked nearby
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SV Tug-boats alongside submarine
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Initials BB/0054 WLW/AS/BB/0135



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The latest French nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. "Le Foudroyant", was launched at its Cherbourg yard on Saturday (December 4). It is the third French nuclear submarine to be launched, and the tenth French naval ship to carry this name. Its two sister submarines are "Le Redoutable" and "Le Terrible". The vessels have a submerged cruising duration of about three months, and are equipped with ballistic missiles of the United States "Polaris" type. Another submarine in the class, "L'Indomptable", is scheduled for launching in 1973.

SYNOPSIS: France's third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine was launched in Cherbourg on Saturday by Monsieur Andre Fanton, Government minister in charge of national defence.

The latest addition to this French Navy' nuclear fleet is the "Foudroyant" which, when operational, will carry 16 ballistic missiles of the United States "Polaris" type, manufactured in France and each weighing 16 tons. This class of vessel--the two others so far are "Le Redoubtable" and "Le Terrible"--weigh 7,500 tons, and to 420 feet long. They are designed for continuous submerged cruising of up to about three moths. The "Foudroyant" is the tenth French naval vessel to carry this name.

The "foudroyant" is scheduled for completion in 1973 and another submarine in the Class, "L'Indomptable", is due to be launched the same year.