Antarès class

The Antarès class is a three-ship French Navy sonar-towing vessel class built by SOCARENAM in Boulogne-sur-Mer for seabed surveillance and mine-warfare support. The 28-meter vessels tow DUBM41B sonars, support training and public-service missions around Brest, and are being withdrawn as SLAM-F autonomous mine-warfare vessels replace the class.

Various ConflictsUnspecified

Antarès class, Sonar towing vessel class, Naval Systems

Image source: Wikimedia Commons: Le bâtiment remorqueur de sonars Antarès (5).JPG

Profile

Origin: France
Built by: SOCARENAM
Type: Sonar towing vessel class
Service note: 1993-present
Produced: 1993-1994
Number built: 3

Also Known As

Antares class
Bâtiment remorqueur de sonars
BRS

naval mine warfare sonar

Specifications

Displacement: 340 tonnes full load
Length: 28 m
Beam: 7.7 m
Speed: 10 knots
Sonar fit: DUBM41B towed sonar, about 4 m long
Mission depth: Seabed surveillance down to 80 m

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Entered French Navy service in 1993; the class is being withdrawn starting with Antarès in 2025/26 as SLAM-F autonomous vessels replace it.
Used by: French Navy

Conflict Usage

Side: Unspecified

No publicly documented use in a named armed conflict found in the sources reviewed. Public sources describe the class as sonar-towing / mine-warfare support vessels for seabed surveillance and mine-countermeasure support.

Timeline

Antarès class Key Events

Jan 1, 1993
Lead ship enters service
Antarès appears in the French Navy's active ship list as the lead ship of the class, marking the class's entry into service in 1993.
Sources: List of active French Navy ships | Wikipedia
Jan 1, 2025
Withdrawal begins
The French Navy's active ship list says the class is being withdrawn from service, starting with Antarès in 2025/26, as SLAM-F autonomous vessels replace it.
Sources: List of active French Navy ships | Wikipedia

Antarès class Images

Antarès class, Sonar towing vessel class, Naval Systems - view 1 — Source: Wikimedia Commons: BRS antares.jpg

Related Weapon Systems

Ensdorf class mine-countermeasure vessel, Mine-countermeasure vessel class, Naval Systems

Naval SystemsEnsdorf class mine-countermeasure vesselMine-countermeasure vessel classThe Ensdorf class is a German mine-countermeasure vessel class rebuilt by Lürssen from five Hameln-class hulls into Type 352 drone-control boats for the Troika Plus system. The class combines mine-sweeping remote boats, mine-detection sensors, and a later peacetime role as training and presentation vessels in the 3 Minesweeper Squadron.

Éridan class minehunter, Minehunter class, Naval Systems

Naval SystemsÉridan class minehunterMinehunter classThe Éridan class is the French Navy's national subclass of the Tripartite minehunter family, built at Arsenal de Lorient and fitted for precise mine countermeasures with hull sonar and PAP 104 vehicles. French Navy material describes the class as a specialist platform for detecting, identifying, and neutralizing submerged mines, with use as a precursor for amphibious and naval-air operations.

Frankenthal class minehunter, Minehunter class, Naval Systems

Naval SystemsFrankenthal class minehunterMinehunter classThe Frankenthal class is a German Navy minehunter class built by Lürssen, Abeking & Rasmussen, and Krögerwerft for precise mine countermeasures in shallow waters. Bundeswehr data describe a non-magnetic steel hull, Seefuchs underwater drones, mine-laying rails, and a 27 mm MLG fit on the 54.4-meter MJ332 boats.

Hunt class mine countermeasure vessel, Mine countermeasures vessel class, Naval Systems

Naval SystemsHunt class mine countermeasure vesselMine countermeasures vessel classThe Hunt class is a British mine countermeasures vessel class built primarily by Vosper Thornycroft, with some hulls built by Yarrow Shipbuilders, for Royal Navy mine-hunting and clearance work. Royal Navy sources describe the ships as using high-definition sonar, clearance divers, and the SeaFox mine disposal system, and the class also served with the Hellenic Navy and Lithuanian Naval Force.

Sandown class, Single-role minehunter, Naval Systems

Naval SystemsSandown classSingle-role minehunterThe Sandown class is a British single-role minehunter class built by Vosper Thornycroft for the Royal Navy. Its non-magnetic hull, high-resolution sonar, remote mine-disposal vehicles, and diesel-electric propulsion were designed for precise mine countermeasures in shallow and littoral waters.

Thales MCM USV, Mine countermeasures uncrewed surface vessel, Naval Systems

Naval SystemsThales MCM USVMine countermeasures uncrewed surface vesselThales MCM USV is the mine-countermeasure uncrewed surface vessel element of the Franco-British SLAM-F/MMCM program. Public reporting describes the crewless craft as carrying TSAM towed sonar and SAMDIS multi-view sonar to detect and classify naval mines, with French Navy deliveries beginning in December 2024 and further production deliveries following in 2025.

Sources

Antarès class sonar towing vessels | SOCARENAMPublisher: SOCARENAM | Note: Supports the builder, sonar-towing mission profile, 28-meter length, 7.7-meter beam, 340-ton full-load displacement, 10-knot speed, seabed-surveillance role, and DUBM41B sonar fit. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 List of active French Navy ships | WikipediaPublisher: Wikipedia | Note: Supports the class designation, 1993 in-service date, sonar-towing vessel type, 340-ton displacement, and the withdrawal note that the class is being replaced by SLAM-F autonomous vessels. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Wikimedia Commons: Le bâtiment remorqueur de sonars Antarès (5).JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary class image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Wikimedia Commons: BRS antares.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the secondary gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25