A sub-caliber projectile incorporating a penetrator and a sabot formed of several segments, the penetrator and sabot incorporating profiles that cooperate with one another so as to ensure the axial drive of the penetrator by the sabot when the projectile is being fired, such projectile wherein there is axial play (J) between the profile on the sabot and that on the penetrator so as to enable a limited relative axial displacement of the sabot with respect to the penetrator, means being provided to ensure the radial locking of the sabot segments by the penetrator in the foremost position of the sabot with respect to the penetrator, this locking no longer being ensured in the rearmost position of the sabot with respect to the penetrator.