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Agosta and Daphne-class conventional attack submarines have been in service in PN since the 1970s. In the early 1990s, the Navy reviewed its fleet and decided that it needed three new-generation submarine. On 21 September 1994, the Pakistani authorities and DCN International signed a contract in Islamabad for the supply of three Agosta 90-B submarines. Key provisions of this contract called for the production of two Agosta 90Bs in Karachi as part of a progressive technology transfer program.
Agosta 90-B is a state of the art Submarine with latest sensors and combat
system. This thoroughly updated platform features a Mesma Air Independent
Propulsion (AIP) system, new materials (hull made of HLES 80 Steel), a new
layout (rearranged subsections), and a vast array of new equipment. According
to the US Navy standard, this type of submarine is a classical SSK whose
weaponry consist of torpedoes, mines and anti ship SM-39 Exocet missiles.
The submarine is fitted with the most modern command and control systems
and can dive below 300-meters.
Pakistan and DCN France signed a contract for 3 Agosta 90-B submarines on
21 September 1994 and was valued at 5,4 billion francs (~ 775 million dollars).
Financing for the contract rested on credit given to Pakistan by France
and while allowing France to export the submarines nonetheless resulted
in significant financial losses.
Under the contract, one submarine was to be built in France while the remaining
two were to be built indigenously in Pakistan. The first unit, "Khalid,"
was built in Cherbourg and delivered to Pakistan in 1999-2000. The Khalid
is named after Hazrat Khalid Bin Walid, a successful military commanders
of Islam who was bestowed the title of 'Saif Ullah' by the Holy Prophet.
The second unit, "Saad," was begun in Cherbourg and sent to the
Karachi Dockyard for modular assembly in 2000. The third unit, "Hamza,"
will be manufactured entirely in Karachi.
Compared to the Hashmat class (Agosta 70) submarines, the Khali classs (Agosta
90B) reportedly has a 200-400 percent increased submerged range. The KHALID
comes armed with the SM-39 Exocet submarine launched anti-ship missiles
(AShM) with a range of 50 Km. Launched from beneath the surface, an AShM
gives a submarine valuable manoeuvring time after firing the missile and
is inherently more dangerous than a torpedo. This capability is currently
not available with the Indian Navy.
PN Dockyard is the lead yard for the AGOSTA 90B construction Project and
started functioning as a Base Engineering Organization at the time of independence
of Pakistan in 1947 before venturing into Naval construction in the early
1980's to fulfill a number of Pakitan Navy requirements.
The construction activities being undertaken other than this program of
pressure hull are fabrication of Ballast Panels, seating, pipes, routing
of cables, connections for integration and setting to work of various onboard
equipment installation of misc. mechanical and structural items. Most of
these activities required very high degree of precision both during fabrication
and installation.
In order to maintain desired hydrodynamic shape and alignment of ballast
panels in particular, is technically a highly complex job and requires use
of sophisticated theodilities and optical alignment equipment. Entire construction
activity including outfitting work onboard the submarine involves quality
control checks at every stage. Non conformity reports are initiated for
slightest errors or deviations from procedures/stringent tolerances.
This quality control system which is augmented by external quality assurance
i.e. both PMOD & French state ensures that ISO-9002 criteria's are met
within strict standards set by French on SMI in totality by their Pakistani
counter parts in PN Dockyard.
Because of the complexity involved, Submarine construction program requires
a wide and strong industrial infrastructure surrounding it, such as electro-mechanical
machinery, steel processing, electrical and electronics, computer hardware
and software, paints, structure and pipes manufacturing etc. A strong support
from the industry with willingness to invest in R&D was required while
at the same time, there was a need to identify those items that could be
considered for local manufacturing due to considerations such as: a) Availability
of technical details like specifications/data; b) Availability of technical
know how; c)Availability/possibility of setting up necessary infrastructure
locally; and d) Rough estimate of its economic viability.
Thorough analysis and research was carried-out to select the probable items
for development in local market. It meant looking into detailed specifications
of each selected item as well as requirement of special facilities, skills,
materials etc. that may be available in the local industry. In pursuance
of exploring the local industry, a number of companies were contacted to
undertake the fabrication of onboard machinery including various types of
pumps, motor and AC units installed on board AGOSTA 90B submarine.
The available data was provided to these firms for study and analysis. On
the feedback received a few reputed companies showed their interest and
initial discussion revealed great potential in the market. PN Dockyard will
be able to provide complete details of the equipment including material
specification/size and capacities required for development.
Pipe Manufacturing was also a field which was considered for local manufacturing
exploitation. A market survey revealed as well that there were a number
of companies, which had the capability to manufacture cables. A number of
firms were contacted and provided with specifications.
The cost effect of above exercise, if successful, can be gauged from the
fact that the Kit of material for one Submarine costs 1 Billion Fr.F. Even
if 1/4th of the total items are locally produced, more than 250 million
Fr.F would be going into the local industry for only one submarine.
The Karachi-built Khalid class Agosta 90B (the third one to joing the Pakistani
Navy) will integrate a new propulsion unit developed by the French Direction
des Constructions Navales (DCN), the MESMA closed-cycle steam-turbine AIP
system. The other two Khalid class submarines will later be retrofitted
with that propulsion unit.
The indigenous construction of the Agosta 90B in Pakistan has reportedly
led the country to consider building the vessels for export, resulting in
competition with the French shipyard. As of mid-2002, Pakistan was reportedly
already in the process of negotiating such sales with three Asian countries.
Due to the technology involved with the construction of the vessels, and
the technical difficulties encountered by the Karachi Shipyards, the presence
of 80 French engineers and technicians was deemed necessary. On May 8, 2002,
11 of French citizens providing assistance to the Karachi Dockyard were
killed when their bus was hit by a car filled with explosives.
Specifications
Propulsion: MESMA air-independent propulsion system 2 SEMT-Pielstick 16
PA4 V 185 VG diesels (3,600hp) 2200kW electric motor 1 shaft
Length: 76.2m
Beam: 6.8m
Draught: 5.4m
Displacement surfaced: 1570 tons
Displacement dived: 1760 tons
Complement: 8 Officers, 43 Sailors
Sensors: Radar, ESM, Periscopes, Sonar Passive Towed Array
Armament: Missiles, Torpedoes, Mines
source: GobalSecurity.org