KARACHI: Commodore Shahid Saeed, Managing Director Submarine Construction Project, said on Monday that 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 and then it would be commissioned in Pakistan Navy in 2007.
He narrated that the submarine force had been started in year 1964 with acquisition of PNS/M Ghazi from 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 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 informed the newsmen that Pakistan is the first country to use MESMA AIP system on board a combat ready submarine…
This is good news, I have been looking forward to confirm when the third will arrive.The fourth is in France I think under construction or drawings. This submarine along with recently acquired block II harpoon missiles to be mounted on Mirages, Phalanx CIWS guns, Spruance class frigate, P3-Cs and F-22P frigates will boost PN's capability
As of now they cannot launch Babur missile.However I have read somewhere because the submarine and the missile were produced at home, it is easy to upgrade them to carry the babur missile.It will take a few years though because they will first have to make a naval version of babur then mount it on the submarine.
Multiple launch systems such as targetting computers, tubes, etc, are required; not to mention Babur will need to be modified as well. From what I know the developers of Babur are developing a variant for surface, sub-surface and air launch systems. The PN is planning to procure 3-5 new submarines of a different type; either the German U-214 or French Marlin, both of which have or will have cruise missile launch capability. Germany is reportedly marketing a MTCR-restricted sub-surface launched cruise missile to Pakistan as well.
PN will have to ask the French for modifications of the Agosta's for VLS for Babur. Not to mention, the Babur will also need modifications. I'd rather have PN aquire newer submarines with the technology already in place. Modifyin the Agosta's can be expensive.