In French, the type is called Sous-marin Nucléaire Lanceur d'Engins (SNLE), literally "Missile-launching nuclear submarine".

With the election of Charles de Gaulle as president of France, the French Armed Forces saw a change in direction.

Beginning in the 1960s, French foreign policy would be reshaped to create independence from both of the major opponents of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union.

From the foreign policy arose the concept of submarine-based "Force de Dissuassion", with emphasis on the "to deter", which was the focus of new French naval spending.

A nuclear plant was constructed on land at Cadarache and the reactor was tested to simulate nuclear-powered submarine patrols.

[6] The submarines were powered by one pressurised water reactor providing steam to two turbines and two alternators and turning one propeller via a turbo reduction drive creating 12,100 kilowatts (16,200 hp).

The submarines also sported electric emergency propulsion capable of providing a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi).

All except Redoutable were heavily upgraded from 1985 to fire the second generation MIRV capable M4 missile – Tonnant was recommissioned in 1987; Indomptable in 1989; Terrible in 1990; and Foudroyant in 1993.