French Nuclear Secrets Revealed by Health App, Reports Le Monde
Details about the secret patrol dates and other information of a French nuclear submarine were allegedly revealed by sailors utilizing the health app Strava, according to Le Monde. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Sailors utilizing the exercise-tracking application Strava may have inadvertently disclosed the operational schedules and patrol durations of France’s nuclear submarines, according to a report by Le Monde.
France maintains a fleet of four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, with the mandate that at least one remains at sea at all times to ensure a credible deterrent against potential threats. These submarines are stationed at the Ile Longue naval base near Brest, an area known for its intense security measures.
Despite these protocols, Le Monde reveals that some personnel at the base published their workout data on Strava, subsequently going offline for extended periods. Their explanations for these absences, however, often unintentionally hinted at their deployments at sea.
“It’s tough to get back into exercise after more than two and a half months in a poop box,” one sailor noted on the app, accompanied by emojis depicting a diving mask and bubbles.
For example, Strava tracked this particular sailor completing a 10-kilometer run in 45 minutes, followed by a 50-day gap of inactivity. Two other sailors engaged in laps on the same day, coinciding with periods of absence, while the specific patrol schedules for these naval operations remain classified.
The French Navy has admitted to "negligence on the part of personnel," but contends that this does not inherently indicate shortcomings that could jeopardize the operations of the base.
Approximately 2,000 personnel at Ile Longue are required to undergo screenings, facial recognition checks, and are subjected to escort by guard dogs to access the base. All mobile phones and electronic devices must be securely stored in designated lockers at entry points, as reported by Le Monde.
However, smartwatches are notably exempt from these restrictions, enabling submariners to log their exercise activities and GPS locations while on base, as well as update their records from patrols when they return to port. The report suggests that it doesn’t require an astute observer to deduce the timeline of activities based on this data.
Le Monde claims to have deduced the approximate dates and lengths of four nuclear patrols. Knowing when a submarine departs could allow adversaries to strategically deploy sensors at the base exit and track the submarines as they enter the ocean, thereby undermining their fundamental mission.
The publication further states that over the last ten years, more than 450 personnel at the base have used Strava.
Submarines play a crucial role in national nuclear deterrence strategies, ensuring that a country's nuclear arsenal is secure from being neutralized by a surprise attack. France operates four Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarines, each equipped with 16 missiles containing multiple thermonuclear warheads. Since 1972, the French Navy has ensured that at least one of these “black boats” remains on patrol in the ocean.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
France maintains a fleet of four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, with the mandate that at least one remains at sea at all times to ensure a credible deterrent against potential threats. These submarines are stationed at the Ile Longue naval base near Brest, an area known for its intense security measures.
Despite these protocols, Le Monde reveals that some personnel at the base published their workout data on Strava, subsequently going offline for extended periods. Their explanations for these absences, however, often unintentionally hinted at their deployments at sea.
“It’s tough to get back into exercise after more than two and a half months in a poop box,” one sailor noted on the app, accompanied by emojis depicting a diving mask and bubbles.
For example, Strava tracked this particular sailor completing a 10-kilometer run in 45 minutes, followed by a 50-day gap of inactivity. Two other sailors engaged in laps on the same day, coinciding with periods of absence, while the specific patrol schedules for these naval operations remain classified.
The French Navy has admitted to "negligence on the part of personnel," but contends that this does not inherently indicate shortcomings that could jeopardize the operations of the base.
Approximately 2,000 personnel at Ile Longue are required to undergo screenings, facial recognition checks, and are subjected to escort by guard dogs to access the base. All mobile phones and electronic devices must be securely stored in designated lockers at entry points, as reported by Le Monde.
However, smartwatches are notably exempt from these restrictions, enabling submariners to log their exercise activities and GPS locations while on base, as well as update their records from patrols when they return to port. The report suggests that it doesn’t require an astute observer to deduce the timeline of activities based on this data.
Le Monde claims to have deduced the approximate dates and lengths of four nuclear patrols. Knowing when a submarine departs could allow adversaries to strategically deploy sensors at the base exit and track the submarines as they enter the ocean, thereby undermining their fundamental mission.
The publication further states that over the last ten years, more than 450 personnel at the base have used Strava.
Submarines play a crucial role in national nuclear deterrence strategies, ensuring that a country's nuclear arsenal is secure from being neutralized by a surprise attack. France operates four Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarines, each equipped with 16 missiles containing multiple thermonuclear warheads. Since 1972, the French Navy has ensured that at least one of these “black boats” remains on patrol in the ocean.
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
