Arbalète was a Arquebuse-class destroyer contre-torpilleur d'escadre built for the French Navy in the first decade of the 20th century.

Completed in 1903, the ship was initially assigned to the Mediterranean Squadron (Escadre de la Méditerranée).

Arbalète proved to be the fastest ship of her class, reaching 31.4 knots (58.2 km/h; 36.1 mph) from 7,136 ihp (5,321 kW) during her sea trials.

[1] They carried enough coal to give them a range of 2,300 nautical miles (4,300 km; 2,600 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).

[1] Arbalète (Arbalest) was ordered from Chantiers et Ateliers Augustin Normand on 1 August 1900 and the ship was laid down on 23 November at its shipyard in Le Havre.