France-based Naval Group introduced its new concept submarine at the Euronaval exhibition, which is being run online. The company announced the new SMX31E concept design this year  by going to design change on the SMX31 submarine introduced in 2018. The new platform is described as more “realistic” and “feasible” than the SMX31.

The SMX31E is 77 meters long, with a displacement of 3,200 tons. With these dimensions, the concept design is larger than the existing Scorpène-class submarine, which the firm sells to Chile, Malaysia, Brazil and India.  Despite its large size, the SMX31E has a crew of only 15 people.

The submarine, which is powered by a lithium-ion battery, will not carry fuel because it can generate enough energy to be operational underwater. The submarine will be able to stay on underwater for more than 60 days in five sea miles and more than 30 days in eight sea miles.

The platform is not expected to be used before the 2040s, but Naval Group plans to integrate the technologies it has developed for concept design into its existing systems.