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Pakistani submarine
Published in Saudi Press Agency on 11 - 07 - 2006


PNS Hamza, the third submarine of the
AGOSTA-90-B Class, built by Pakistani engineers and experts in collaboration
with France, would be launched in August-2006 for a trial phase to be
commissioned in Pakistan Navy in 2007.
The first submarine of this series PNS-Khalid had been built in France,
following an accord on the basis of Transfer of Technology (ToT) and then
handed over to the Pakistan Navy in 1999, Commodore Shahid Saeed, Managing
Director Submarine Construction Project, told the reporters.
Similarly, PNS-Saad, the second submarine of this series was built in France
and Pakistan and commissioned the Pakistan Navy in 2003.
Saeed that PNS Hamza is in the final stages and would be launched by next
month for necessary trials and commissioning in 2007.
Giving specifications of the submarines, he said that in today's modern
warfare, submarines play a very vital role and directly affect the outcome
of the war. He said that the submarines by virtue of their stealth sustain
endurance and lethality and have been considered to be one of the most
potent fighting platforms at sea and the Pakistan Navy, since its birth in
1947, was quick to realise the importance of this technology.
Saeed said that the submarine force had been started in year 1964 with
acquisition of PNS/M Ghazi from the USA. In 1969-70 Pakistan Navy acquired
three Daphne class submarines from France. Later in 1975, another Daphne
class submarine and in 1980-81 two AGOSTA-70 class submarine were acquired.
He said that in early 90s, when the need to acquire submarines arose,
Pakistan Navy decided to construct the new submarines in Pakistan instead of
acquiring on hot transfer basis. In this regard, in September 1994, Pakistan
Ministry of Defence Production signed the contract for construction of three
AGOSTA-90B submarines at PN Dockyard with DCN International, a company of
France. The contract included a strong element of transfer of technology in
a phased manner embedded in it.
Saeed said that the central theme of transfer of technology is to acquire
the most sensitive technology of pressure hull construction and outfitting
of conventional submarines. The submarine being launched is the most
advanced version of AGOSTA design. It is 76 metres long and weighs around
2000 tonnes. Its range is 10,000 nautical miles and can remain at sea for
continuously 60 days.
He said that submarine Hamza consists of 50 officers and men. It is equipped
with state-of-the-art combat system, the Subtics (Submarine Tactical
Integrated Combat System). This is capable of firing SM-39 Exocet Missile
and wire guided torpedoes. The unique feature of this submarine is its Air
Independent Propulsion (AIPP system, MESMA, making it capable of achieving
greater underwater endurance and long range.
The commodore said that Pakistan is the first country to use MESMA AIP
system on board a combat ready submarine. Submarine Construction in Pakistan
Navy is a continuation of the naval construction efforts, which started in
Pakistan Navy Dockyard in 1971 for self-reliance and indigenisation.
It includes construction of floating docks, missile boats, X-Craft
submarines and MCMVs. PN Dockyard had 30 years of repair & maintenance
experience of DAPHNE and AGOSTA 70 submarines prior undertaking Meta
construction project of AGOSTA-90B submarines in 1994.
He said that another benefit of this project is a changed quality culture
and work methodology. ISO 9002 standard was awarded to PN Dockyard in Nov
1997, the first defence industrial setup to receive this prestigious
certification. Presently PN Dockyard is certified to the requirements of ISO
9001-2000 Standard.


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