The Albacora class was a diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK) developed for the Portuguese Navy based on the French Daphné class.

In 1964, the Portuguese government ordered the construction of four of this class at the Dubigeòn-Normándie Shipyard to create the 4th Submarine Flotilla.

With the first submarine commissioned on 1 October 1967, the Portuguese Navy started to have a submarine able to operate in both coastal and oceanic zones, especially in the Portuguese exclusive economic zone.

The last Albacora-class submarine in service, NRP Barracuda, made its final mission in 2010.

The class was replaced by two Type 209PN/Type 214PN submarines.