 Designated "Sous-marins de Chasse" by the French Navy the "Aréthuse" class were designed as attack submarines specifically for operations in the Mediterranean Sea.The design was influenced by the German World War II Type XXIII U-boats, though were larger, with a heavier armament and faster when submerged but retained a small silhouette and great manoeverability.They had a standard displacement of , surfaced and submerged.