French submarine Améthyste (S605)

(see Rubis class)

The Améthyste (S 605) is a tactical nuclear submarine of the French Navy. The name is an acronym for Amelioration Tactique, Hydro Dynamique, Silence, Transmission, Ecoute what tactical, hydrodynamic, noise suppression and drive development means. The name also stands for the gemstone amethyst and was used for the first time a French warship. The Améthyste (S 605) is the fifth submarine of the Rubis class and represents a further development of the class state why she and her sister ship Pearl ( S 606) are referred to in some sources as Améthyste class. The four previously built sister ships were modernized in the 1990s and raised on the technical level of Améthyste (S 605).

The Améthyste is equipped with 4 x 533mm tubes to fire torpedoes against submarines and ships, as well as of Exocet missiles to combat ships.

In the Kosovo war in 1999 was Améthyste (S 605), together with the sister ship Rubis (S 601) used to secure the maritime attack NATO forces. In addition, the sea area off Kotor was blocked for Yugoslav shipping and educational work done.

At the international military intervention in Libya 2011 Améthyste 473 was stationed as part of the French task force off the Libyan coast, without intervening in the fighting.