Agosta 90B, France & Pakistan

[Interceptor]

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SSK Agosta 90B Class Attack Submarine, France

Naval Technology,

The Agosta submarines designed by DCN of France, are currently in service with the French, Spanish and Pakistan navies. The Agosta 90B is an improved version featuring higher performance and a new combat system.

The new submarine features a higher level of automation, which has resulted in the ship's crew being reduced from 54 to 36. Other improvements include a new battery for increased range, a deeper diving capability of 350m resulting from the use of new materials including HLES 80 steel, and a reduced acoustic signature through the installation of new suspension and isolation systems.
"The Agosta 90B is an improved version of the Agosta submarine, featuring higher performance and a new combat system."

Three Agosta 90Bs were ordered by the Pakistan Navy in September 1994. The first, Khalid (S137), was built at DCN’s Cherbourg yard and was commissioned in 1999. The second, Saad, assembled at Karachi Naval Dockyard, was launched in August 2002 and was commissioned in December 2003. The third, Hamza, which has been constructed and assembled in Karachi, was launched in August 2006 and will commission in 2007.

Work on the third vessel halted after a terrorist attack in May 2002, which killed 11 French engineers in Karachi. It has since restarted.

The third submarine is being fitted with the MESMA air-independent propulsion system, which will be retrofitted to the first two. The MESMA AIP has successfully completed Pakistan Navy acceptance trials.

Pakistan has been given a license by DCN to offer commercial production of the submarines to potential customers.

SUBTICS COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM

The Agosta 90B submarines are equipped with a SUBTICS fully integrated combat system. This is supplied by UDS International, a joint subsidiary of DCN International and Thales (formerly Thomson-CSF). SUBTICS processes signals from the submarine's sensors, determines the tactical situation by track association, fusion, synthesis, trajectory plotting and management and handles all weapon command and control functions.

TORPEDOES

The Agosta 90B submarine is fitted with four bow 533mm torpedo tubes and has the capacity to carry a mixed load of up to 16 torpedoes and missiles. The submarine can be equipped with the ECAN F17 Mod 2 torpedo, which is a wire-guided torpedo with active and passive homing to a range of 20km. The torpedo delivers a 250kg warhead to a depth of 600m.
MBDA EXOCET SM39 MISSILES

The Agosta 90B is equipped with the torpedo tube launched MBDA (formerly EADS Aerospatiale) Exocet SM39 missile. Target range and bearing data is downloaded into the Exocet's computer.

The missile approaches the target area in sea-skimming mode using inertial navigation and then active radar homing. The missile travels at speeds over Mach 0.9, and has a range of 50km. Exocet has a 165kg high-explosive shaped-charge warhead.

ELECTRONIC WARFARE

The Agosta 90B submarines are equipped with the Thales DR-3000U radar warning receiver, operating in D to K bands.
"The Agosta 90B submarine is fitted with four bow 533mm torpedo tubes and can carry up to 16 torpedoes and missiles."

The system uses a masthead antenna array with omnidirectional and monopulse directional antennae and a separate periscope warning antenna.

SENSOR SUITE

The submarine is fitted with a Thales Underwater Systems (formerly Thomson Marconi Sonar) TSM 223 sonar suite, which includes bow-mounted sonar and towed sonar arrays, SAGEM periscopes and navigation system and Thales I-band navigation radar.

PROPULSION SYSTEMS

The Agosta 90B class submarines can be equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system or the MESMA air-independent propulsion system. The diesel-electric system consists of two SEMT-Pielstick 16 PA4 V 185 VG diesels providing 3,600hp and a 2200kW electric motor driving a single propeller.

A diesel-electrical submarine has to surface to periscope depth to recharge the batteries using the diesel engine, leading to increased risk of detection. The MESMA air-independent propulsion system, being fitted to the Agosta 90B submarines for Pakistan, allows the submarine to remain submerged three times longer.

The MESMA system consists essentially of a turbine receiving high-pressure steam from a combustion chamber, burning a gaseous mixture of ethanol and liquid oxygen. The Agosta 90B's performance remains the same in all other respects, except that the length increases from 67m to 76m and submerged displacement from 1,760t to 2,050t.

[WebMaster]

Just one a note. The first two Pakistani Agosta-90B donot have MESMA AIP system.

[Interceptor]

Just one a note. The first two Pakistani Agosta-90B donot have MESMA AIP system.

Note taken this was off the Naval Technology site. Is this a mistake?

[TexasJohn]

Note taken this was off the Naval Technology site. Is this a mistake?

Webby is right. The first two did not have AIP. Note what the site said"

" The Agosta 90B class submarines can be equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system or the MESMA air-independent propulsion system. The diesel-electric system consists of two SEMT-Pielstick 16 PA4 V 185 VG diesels providing 3,600hp and a 2200kW electric motor driving a single propeller."

[Interceptor]

Webby is right. The first two did not have AIP. Note what the site said"

" The Agosta 90B class submarines can be equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system or the MESMA air-independent propulsion system. The diesel-electric system consists of two SEMT-Pielstick 16 PA4 V 185 VG diesels providing 3,600hp and a 2200kW electric motor driving a single propeller."

I didn't say he was wrong.

This is the source,
http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/agosta/

[Keysersoze]

I remember reading somewhere that the first two were being retro-actively fitted with MESMA

[TexasJohn]

I remember reading somewhere that the first two were being retro-actively fitted with MESMA

Sure would like to see that link, Key. It would involve doing major mods to the entire propulsion system ( 2 different types)

[blain2]

Sure would like to see that link, Key. It would involve doing major mods to the entire propulsion system ( 2 different types)

I can confirm that arrangements are being made to retrofit Khalid and Saad SSKs to be refitted with AIP. That was the plan from the get go thus Hamza SSK was fitted with AIP during its construction. The folks involved in the project considers the AIP integration fairly challenging initially when assembly facilities were being set up so it was skipped for the first two. The AIP was always on the roadmap for all three Agosta 90Bs in the PN service. So as Khalid and Saad become due for their normal overhaul, the Mesma capability would be added on.

Here is an article that talks about PN's plan to retroactively fit the MESMA on the other two:

PakObservor.net

PN can match, thwart enemy designs

Aroosa Alam

KARACHI—Though faced with multi-dimensional territorial, economic and security challenges, Pakistan Navy is moving well towards achieving its objective to create a balanced fleet of Air, Surface, Sub-surface and land based forces in the coming future. Equipped already with lethal state-of-the-art Agosta 90-b submarines that are armed with Harpoon and SM-39 Exocet missiles, PN has already received Government approval to acquire direly needed frigates from China. Hand in hand with these welcome developments for the otherwise and traditionally ignored PN, the leaders of the force are also happy to note that scientists and engineers are working to develop an indigenous missile system for the service.

They also draw great strength from the fact that if it gets a political nod along with sufficient funds, the experts at the PN Dockyard can attempt to make modifications in the design of the Agosta 90-b subs to convert them into nuclear powered subs as under the Transfer of Technology contract with French DCNI, PN plans to build three more subs after the completion of three subs contract.

A day-long visit to PN Dockyard at the Submarine Construction Complex along with a breathtaking dive into the 2nd Agosta-90-b fondly named S/M SAAD on Tuesday provided a bird’s-eye view of the mammoth work being carried out by a dedicated team of workers, officers, technicians and leaders to turn into a reality the tall slogan of “Submarine Construction, a quantum leap towards self-reliance”.

A group of senior defence correspondents from across the country took great pride in visiting the Submarine Construction Complex to witness the construction of the 3rd Agosta 90-b which will be built 100 % by Pakistani experts. The visit also provided a memorable opportunity to mediamen to slip down into the second Agosta 90-b which is now ready to get into the most crucial and “dangerous” phase of water trials after which SAAD will be commissioned into service hopefully on the 23rd of March this year.

Refusing to draw a comparison with Indian Navy, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) Rear Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Rao says that if need arises Pakistan Navy can do the economic blockade of India by choking sealines of communications that go from Gulf to India. “PN is in a position to exploit enemy’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities and can take war to the enemy and do a quid pro quo”, said the Rear Admiral pointing out that 63% of oil by India is imported from Gulf and port of Kandla, which falls in close proximity of Pakistan, handled maximum POL items during year 2000-2001.

This makes India very vulnerable if it comes to choking of oil supplies. He said Indian imports from Middle East in year 2000 stood at 203 trillion rupees and exports were 97 trillion rupees. “It is just a myth that India can do Pakistan’s economic blockade. On the contrary Indian SLOCs are vulnerable and within our reach. We must be prepared to take advantage of it”, he said.

DCNS (O) however admitted that Indian Navy has been progressively developing over the last three decades turning into the largest regional and the 5th largest naval force of the world. It operates in all dimensions of naval warfare. The severity of these threats is likely to increase.

To combat these ever growing threats from enemey, he said, we need to develop maritime awareness, non-military elements, merchant ships, port developments exploitation of EEZ and Continental Shelf. He said PN has responded in a great manner to match the threat but in view of national economic constraints, PN’s planning and induction strategy has been structured on three-tier policy of upgradation of existing holdings, induction of technologically responsive, yet cost effective platforms and weapons systems along with a prudent approach of vital infrastructural expansion. He announced that the government has agreed to provide funds for surface ships which will be made available by China. He, however, admitted that it is not technically feasible to acquire Chinese submarine technology.

“French technology is far superior and satisfactory”, he noted.

“Pakistan is proud to be one of the 11 nations that are capable of building state-of-the-art conventional submarines like Agosta 90-b” told Admiral Farooq Rashid, Commander Logistics in a briefing over the submarine construction programme of PN Dockyard. He said the main feature of the Agosta-90-b submarines is the MESMA Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP) which gives the sub a long submerged time thus making it a lethal and silent creeper against enemy targets. These subs have 35 years life time with maximum operating depth of 320 meters. These are equipped with SUBTICS combat system and weapons include SM-39 Exocet missiles, and Wire guided torpedo. At one time the subs can carry 16 weapons of mixed breed of torpedos and missiles. PN is still conducting negotiations for the procurement of tarpedos for the three new Agostas but the two subs have been equipped with Pakistani torpedos.

To a question, Admiral Farooq said that Agosta submarine project has been well contained into allocated 1.2 billion dollar budget. Some delays took place due to DCNI who has compensated PN on this account. Refusing to entertain reports that Malaysia and Pakistan are close to strike a deal for the construction of Agosta 90-b, the Admiral said there is no bar from French DCNI for such contract. Under the agreement of ToT, Pakistan can export these subs to other countries.

To a question, he said that AIP system will also be integrated into the first two Agosta 90-bs once they will undergo their first retrofit programmes after five years. He admitted that after the sad killing of French Technicians by the terrorists, no DCNI expert is in Pakistan.

But they are assisting us throughout by constant communication links. He saw no major problem in the project due to the departure of French team and hoped that the third submarine which is being built will be ready for water trials in year 2005 as per schedule.

Talking about the future plans, he said we will expand our capabilities of maintenance, rebuild and construct naval vessels and increase the level of independence in rebuild and construction of submarines, ships, missile boats, gunboats, auxiliary vessels, floating docks, seek joint eventures with friendly countries and make our work cost effective.
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[Interceptor]

PNS/M HAMZA

The 3rd Agosta-90B class submarine named as PNS/M HAMZA was launched on 10 Aug 2006. It is in advance stage of construction and is expected to be commissioned in December 2007 upon completion of Harbour Acceptance and Sea Acceptance Trials. It also incorporates improvement based on the experience gained by the initial two submarines of same class and new advances in endurance, acoustic discretion, propulsion and diving capability. This submarine will be the first one with MESMA AIP system.

http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/agosta90.htm

The 3rd sub isnt in service yet.

[joey]

I very much doubt what AIP can do in deep blue sea, where our carrier group will be placed with constant cover for naval blockade.

AIP is best in litorral environment, like if Iran gets a few AIP they can choke USN some ships inside persian gulf.

The very reason India is not too much interested in AIP.

[Keysersoze]

I very much doubt what AIP can do in deep blue sea, where our carrier group will be placed with constant cover for naval blockade.

AIP is best in litorral environment, like if Iran gets a few AIP they can choke USN some ships inside persian gulf.

The very reason India is not too much interested in AIP.

But you forget that the PN's primary task is defend Pak's smaller shoreline and prevent blockades. If Pak can maintain a link open to the Persian gulf then it will have won that battle. You forget that the subs will not be operating in a void. The Hawkeye 2000's (with PN Air assets)can give good coverage and in combination with the new surface fleet AND the fleet of subs will I feel be able to provide a suitable "bastion" type defence

[Adux]

True, AIP is a very important Pakistan, But if they are protecting the coastline, cant they always refuel, rearm and resupply.

Indian Navy's main strength is its ASW.

[Keysersoze]

True, AIP is a very important Pakistan, But if they are protecting the coastline, cant they always refuel, rearm and resupply.

Indian Navy's main strength is its ASW.

Yes but for India's ASW to come into use, it will have to enter a defensive zone where they will come under AWACS coverage. Ground based aircraft, and surface fleet coverage. The subs will still be effective against any potential blockade ships and assets.

Of course if there is a Chinese presence in Gwadar will India attack any Chinese Blockade runners?

[Adux]

If Chinese are on the way, you can expect the Indians to show Force, China will oblige, as they will not want to get into the fight, and Indians dont want them to fight too..

AWACS, will always have to lie low; for the very presence Indian Naval Fighters, When it comes to India and Pakistan, both sides Ships will always have ground based Radar coverage; They are too close to each other.

No Doubt Subs are an effective force to blockade, But unless Pakistan has a bit more numbers the subs are not going to be that effective, Indians have lot more good ships and subs.

[Keysersoze]

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If Chinese are on the way, you can expect the Indians to show Force, China will oblige, as they will not want to get into the fight, and Indians dont want them to fight too..

AWACS, will always have to lie low; for the very presence Indian Naval Fighters.

I used to think so, but after I did a little research into carriers in detail (specifically Russian carrier doctrine) I don not think that the carrier that you are refering to will play as big a part as I previously did. Russian carriers were built with the idea that they would be defending Russian missile sub bastions. The loadout of the aircraft on the carriers is greatly reduced. The fighters would come into the range of the AWACS and land based fighters before they can become an issue. If the PN was to venture beyond the "bastion" then it would be vulnerable to the carrier.

Oh and the assumption that India would face down China and China would back down is somewhat spurious. India would have to shift forces to cover any potential retaliation by China.

As for the subs there is a active procurement for 3+ subs so I think they will potent