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France is taking a significant step forward in marine research by developing an autonomous submarine capable of exploring depths of up to 3,500 meters. This initiative aims to enhance understanding of marine ecosystems and the effects of climate change.
The project is overseen by the French Institute for Marine Research and Exploitation (Ifremer), in partnership with the company ALSEAMAR, which specializes in marine technologies. It seeks to equip France with an advanced tool for research and monitoring in the depths of the oceans. The institute explained that this project responds to an increasing demand from the scientific community to access still-unknown areas of the marine world.
Unlike current models that have a maximum depth capability of 1,200 meters, this new submarine can reach depths exceeding 3,000 meters, where crucial physical, biological, and geochemical interactions occur, necessary for understanding ocean dynamics.
The first test of the device will take place in the Mediterranean Sea, aiming to assess its performance and collect data on the properties of deep waters and their changes amid rising temperatures. Additionally, several models will later be deployed off the coast of Mayotte for a year to study geological risks associated with the underwater volcano Fani Maouri, discovered in 2019.
This program is part of the France 2030 plan, which aims to enhance deep-sea research and develop a competitive national industry in marine technology.
The new autonomous submarines, thanks to their independence and remote operation capabilities, equipped with a range of advanced sensors, represent a strategic tool in the service of marine scientific research, providing precise data on the physical, biological, and chemical aspects of the oceans.
