Pakistan's acquisition of the U-214

[dk33]

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Pakistan to buy German subs, ignore French

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

By Ali Abbas Rizvi

KARACHI: In a departure from the past practice of acquiring submarines from France, Pakistan will buy three German Type 214 submarines.

Walter Freitag, the chief executive officer of the HDW, the largest conventional submarine maker in the world, told The News on Tuesday in an exclusive interview at the IDEAS 2008 here that his company had finalised technical specifications with the navy to build three Type 214 submarines in Pakistan.

“The commercial contract has been finalised up to 95 per cent,” he said, hoping the final contract in this regard will be signed soon. This is the first time that a clear picture of the billion-dollar deal that the Pakistan Navy is expected to sign in coming months has emerged. Earlier, during mid-90s, the navy had selected three French Agosta 90-B submarines, which were in addition to the two acquired earlier. The deal had generated a lot of controversy at that time.

This time French firm Armaris had offered to supply Pakistan three updated single-hulled, diesel-electric submarines — all-French version of the Franco-Spanish Scorpene boat — equipped with air-independent propulsion, a deal totalling about $1.2 billion.

However, Walter Freitag said he did not see that kind of controversy enveloping this project perceived during the 90s. “The Pakistan Navy understands submarines and ours are the best,” he said, rejecting claims of competitors that the Greek Navy had rejected Type 214.

“In the Hellenic Navy’s case, a neutral surveyor was appointed, who decided that the submarine was technically OK and ready for commissioning,” he said. The HDW CEO said the Type 214 was technologically more advanced than those of competitors. “We use higher grade steel material, which allows greater diving depth,” he said. “Also, we have fuel cell AIPs and can integrate Harpoons with the Type 214.”

The first submarine would be delivered to the Pakistan Navy in 64 months after signing of the contract while the rest would be completed successively in 12 months. Walter Freitag stated that they would be using facilities at the Karachi Shipyard for building Type 214 and minimal upgrade would be required. He added that the Type 214 was 100 per cent German and there was no chance of embargo on it in any case.

Meanwhile, authoritative sources told The News that the decision to acquire Type 214 over the French submarine was made not only because the submarine was more advanced than the French Marlin, but also because many countries had deployed the Type 214 submarines, so there would be no issue of spares.

They said Turkey would be acquiring six Type 214s, South Korea had ordered six more in addition to three ordered earlier, Portugal had bought two, besides several bought by the German Navy. As such, supportability for the Type 214 for the next 30-35 years would not be a major concern.

Pakistan to buy German subs, ignore French

[WebMaster]

Awesome. I knew it will happen soon.

Where are all those credible sources and that Australian/Indian Jilu guy who seemed to knew much more.

[Black Stone]

This is a good choice for Pakistan, I have always preferred the German sub over the French.

[blain2]

Absolutely the right decision. The fact that PN realizes the need to have the best possible platforms for its sub-surface fleet and knows what it wants, it gives one great confidence that the decision was made on the basis of capability and quality...

"“The Pakistan Navy understands submarines and ours are the best,”.

Lets just see when this gets signed. I hope soon God willing!

[TOPGUN]

Good news finally mashallah cant wait to see the first one with us !!

[satishkumarcsc]

So u guys gonna party tonight?...


Are you buying it with full TOT or is it just maintainance at Karachi?

[WebMaster]

Full transfer of technology i think. Not sure how many submarines will be built in Karachi though... but for sure some will be built in Germany.

[Mark Sien]

So u guys gonna party tonight?...


Are you buying it with full TOT or is it just maintainance at Karachi?

Yes all 3 will be built in Pakistan...

[fatman17]

“The commercial contract has been finalised up to 95 per cent,” he said, hoping the final contract in this regard will be signed soon.

we should hold our jets but looking very good indeed!

By Ali Abbas Rizvi

a very credible source!

“Also, we have fuel cell AIPs and can integrate Harpoons with the Type 214.”

this IMHO clinched it for reasons well known!

[TOPGUN]

So u guys gonna party tonight?...


Are you buying it with full TOT or is it just maintainance at Karachi?

Yes Satish bahi we are gona party and boss u are invited with your friends enjoy

[satishkumarcsc]

The first submarine would be delivered to the Pakistan Navy in 64 months after signing of the contract while the rest would be completed successively in 12 months. Walter Freitag stated that they would be using facilities at the Karachi Shipyard for building Type 214 and minimal upgrade would be required. He added that the Type 214 was 100 per cent German and there was no chance of embargo on it in any case.


This is what confused me...he mentioned the words EMBARGO and MINIMAL UPGRATE IN KARACHI....and hey I cant fly a 1000kms for a party..u know that and wisely invited me...anyways cheers! drink well

[Imran Khan]

thanks god for this good news hope it will finsh on time every thing with help of god

[araz]

i must confess i have had my doubts aminly due to the financial constraints. But Kudoos to PN boys to have pulled this one off. The fact that all 3 subs would be built in Karachi would be good for our shipyardsand its expertise level. All in all a good day for PN.
WaSalam
Araz

[Always Neutral]

i must confess i have had my doubts aminly due to the financial constraints. But Kudoos to PN boys to have pulled this one off. The fact that all 3 subs would be built in Karachi would be good for our shipyardsand its expertise level. All in all a good day for PN.
WaSalam
Araz

I wonder if this news is really credible as IMF loan funds cannot be used for buying weapons. I think it will be another year before the ink is dry on this contract.

Regards

[Neo]

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The HDW CEO said the Type 214 was technologically more advanced than those of competitors. “We use higher grade steel material, which allows greater diving depth,” he said. “Also, we have fuel cell AIPs and can integrate Harpoons with the Type 214.”

As such, supportability for the Type 214 for the next 30-35 years would not be a major concern.

This is what did the trick. French were asking more than $600 million to integrate Harpoons into the Marlin, Germans will do it for free.
According to my source the intrgration of naval version of several (!) Pakistani missiles is also included in the contract!