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Agosta-class submarine#Pakistan Navy

{{Short description|French diesel-electric submarine class}}

{{Infobox ship begin

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{{Infobox ship image

|Ship image=OuessantBrest2005.jpg

|Ship image size=300px

|image alt=

|Ship caption=French Agosta-70 submarine Ouessant at Brest in 2005

}}

{{Infobox ship class overview

| Builders =

| Operators =*{{Navy|France}} (former)

  • {{Navy|Malaysia}} (former)
  • {{Navy|Spain}}
  • {{navy|Pakistan}}

| Class before = {{sclass|Daphné|submarine|4}}

| Class after =*{{sclass2|Scorpène|submarine|4}}

  • {{sclass|Rubis|submarine|4}}

| Subclasses = Agosta 90B

| Built range = 1977–2006

| In commission range = 1977 – Active in service in Spain and Pakistan

| Total ships building =

| Total ships planned = 13

| Total ships completed = 13

| Total ships cancelled =

| Total ships active = 6

| Total ships laid up =

| Total ships lost =

| Total ships retired = 7

| Total ships scrapped = 5

| Total ships preserved = 1

}}

{{Infobox ship characteristics

| Hide header =

| Header caption =

| Ship class =

| Ship displacement = *{{convert|1500|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} surfaced

  • {{convert|1760|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} submerged (France, Spain)
  • {{convert|2050|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} submerged (Pakistan)

| Ship length = *{{convert|67|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (France, Spain)

  • {{convert|76|m|ftin|abbr=on}} (Pakistan)

| Ship beam = {{convert|6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| Ship draught =

| Ship draft =

| Ship propulsion =

| Ship speed = *{{convert|12|kn|lk=in}} surfaced

  • {{convert|20.5|kn}} submerged
  • {{convert|10.5|kn}} submerged (snorkeling)

| Ship range = 8,500 miles (13,679 km)

| Ship endurance =

| Ship test depth = *{{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}} (France, Spain)

  • {{convert|350|m|ft|abbr=on}} (Pakistan)

| Ship complement = *5 officers

  • 36 men

| Ship sensors = *Thomson CSF DRUA 33 Radar

  • Thomson Sintra DSUV 22
  • DUUA 2D Sonar
  • DUUA 1D Sonar
  • DUUX 2 Sonar
  • DSUV 62A towed array

| Ship EW =

| Ship armament = *SM 39 Exocet

  • 4 × {{convert|550|mm|0|abbr=on}} bow torpedo tubes (12 reloads on Khalid-class, 16 reloads on Hashmat class{{cite book|title=Jane's submarines : war beneath the waves from 1776 to the present day|page=211|year=2001}})
  • ECAN L5 Mod 3 & ECAN F17 Mod 2 torpedoes

| Ship notes =

}}

The Agosta-class submarine is a class of diesel-electric attack submarine developed and constructed by the French DCNS in the 1970s to succeed the {{sclass|Daphné|submarine|0}} submarines. The submarines have served in the French Navy as well as exported to the navies of Spain and Pakistan. It also used by Royal Malaysian Navy for the training purpose. They were replaced in French service by the {{sclass|Rubis|submarine|0}} nuclear attack submarines but are still in active service with the navies of Spain and Pakistan. The French Navy grouped this model of submarine in their most capable class as an océanique, meaning "ocean-going."{{cite web|url=http://pakdef.org/agosta-90b/|title=Agosta 90B « PakDef Military Consortium|last1=Shabbir|first1=Usman|website=pakdef.org|publisher=« PakDef Military Consortium|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216205302/http://pakdef.org/agosta-90b/|archive-date=16 February 2017}}

The Agosta class is named for its lead unit, {{ship|French submarine|Agosta|S620|2}}, which in turn was named for the Battle of Augusta ({{langx|fr|Agosta}}) of 22 April 1676.

Ships

File:Mistral gran carena.JPG (S-73)]]

File:Submarine Museum.JPG, ex-{{ship|French submarine|Ouessant|S623|2}} (S623)]]

=French Navy=

built by Arsenal de Cherbourg

  • Agosta (S 620) – Completed 1977 – Decommissioned 1997
  • Bévéziers (S 621) – Completed 1977 – Decommissioned 1998
  • La Praya (S 622) – Completed 1978 – Decommissioned 2000
  • {{ship|French submarine|Ouessant|S623|2}} (S 623) – Completed 1978 – Decommissioned 2001 (transferred to Royal Malaysian Navy).

=Spanish Navy=

built by Cartagena dockyard

  • Galerna (S 71) – Completed 1983 – In service
  • Siroco (S 72) – Completed 1983 – Decommissioned 2012
  • Mistral (S 73) – Completed 1985 – Decommissioned 2020
  • {{ship|Spanish submarine|Tramontana|S74|2}} (S 74) – Completed 1985 – Decommissioned 2024[https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/4723183/armada-da-baja-submarino-tramontana La Armada da de baja el submarino Tramontana] Infodefensa (17/02/2024)[https://murciaplaza.com/cartagena-se-despide-del-submarino-tramontana-que-se-jubila-tras-40-anos-de-servicio Cartagena se despide del submarino Tramontana, que se jubila tras 40 años de servicio] Murcia Plaza (16/02/2024)[https://www.puentedemando.com/el-submarino-s-74-tramontana-causa-baja-en-la-armada/ El submarino S-74 “Tramontana” causa baja en la Armada] Puente de Mando (16/02/2024)

=Pakistan Navy=

On 10 September 1974, South Africa announced to expand its submarine arm by entering in defence talks with France to acquire the Agosta-70-class submarines.{{rp|113}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_XIsAAAAYAAJ&q=10+September|title=South Africaʼs Fighting Ships: Past and Present|last1=Toit|first1=Allan Du|date=1992|publisher=Ashanti Pub. Pty Limited|isbn=9781874800507|pages=359|language=en|access-date=29 September 2018}} South African Prime Minister P. W. Botha engaged in discussion with acquiring two Agosta-70-class submarines with French President Valéry d'Estaing, and had Capt. L. J. Woodburne as the project-manager of acquisition of Agosta-70 program in South African Navy.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aG9sAAAAIAAJ&q=Agosta|title=South African orders, decorations, and medals|last1=Alexander|first1=E. G. McGill|last2=Barron|first2=Gary K. B.|last3=Bateman|first3=Anthony J.|date=1986|publisher=Human & Rousseau|isbn=9780798118958|pages=160|language=en|format=snippet view|access-date=29 September 2018}} Dubigeon-Normandie, the French contractor, built two Agosta-70 class submarine.{{cite web|url=http://pakdef.org/agosta-90b/|title=AGOSTA 70A|last1=Shabbir|first1=Usman|date=June 2003|website=pakdef.org|publisher=« PakDef Military Consortium|location=Islamabad|language=en-k|access-date=29 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216205302/http://pakdef.org/agosta-90b/|archive-date=2017-02-16|url-status=dead}} However, France denied to order of delivery to South African Navy following the implementation of Resolution 418 (an arms embargo) by the United Nations.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4iIOAQAAMAAJ |title=Politics in South Africa: From Vorster to de Klerk|last1=Maguire|first1=Keith|date=1991|publisher=Chambers|isbn=9780550207524|pages=151 |format=snippet view|access-date=29 September 2018}}{{cite thesis |first=Victor |last=Moukambi |title=Relations between South Africa and France with special reference to military matters, 1960-1990 |date=2008-10-13 |publisher=University of Stellenbosch |hdl=10019.1/1228 |type=DPhil}}{{cite journal|first=Andre |last=Wessels |date=20 April 2007 |title=The South African Navy During The Years of Conflict In Southern Africa, 1966-1989 |journal= Journal for Contemporary History |volume=31 |issue=3 |pages=283–303 |hdl=10520/EJC28400 |df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/pakistan-submarine-capabilities/|title=Pakistan Submarine Capabilities|last1=NTI|first1=Nuclear Threat Initiatives staffer|website=www.nti.org|publisher=Nuclear Threat Initiatives|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531141959/http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/pakistan-submarine-capabilities/|archive-date=31 May 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6XW7kKHQeQoC&pg=PA155 |title=No Easy Answers: The Development of the Navies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, 1945-1996 |last1=Goldrick|first1=James|date=1995|publisher=Lancer Publishers|isbn=9781897829028|location=Sydney, Australia |access-date=12 January 2017}}

The Agosta-70A class submarines were eventually offered to Pakistan, which Pakistan acquired for its military in 1978 and commissioned in Pakistan Navy in 1979.{{cite web |title=Hashmat Class (Fr Agosta-70) |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/hashmat.htm |website=www.globalsecurity.org |access-date=14 October 2023}} In Pakistan Navy, there are known as Hashmat Class.

In 1983–1985, the class of submarines were deployed in Arabian Sea to deter the actions of the larger Indian Navy in seaborne theatre. As part of the Cold War operation, they were deployed in the Arabian Sea and later embarked on being deployed on long-range mission to test depth and submerged endurance in Indian Ocean.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yXXfAAAAMAAJ|title=The Fourth Round: Indo-Pak War 1984|last1=Rikhye|first1=Ravi|date=1985|publisher=ABC Publishing House|pages=253 |access-date=29 September 2018}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Us87DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT221 |title=Seaforth World Naval Review 2012|last1=Waters|first1=Conrad|date=2011|publisher=Seaforth Publishing|isbn=9781783830985 |access-date=29 September 2018}}

Variants

The Agosta-90B-class submarines is an improved version with modern systems, better battery with longer endurance, deeper diving capability, lower acoustic cavitation and better automatic control (reducing crew from 54 to 36). It can be equipped with the MESMA air-independent propulsion (AIP) system.{{Cite news|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/agosta/|title=SSK Agosta 90B Class Submarine - Naval Technology|work=Naval Technology|access-date=2017-10-30|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605055603/http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/agosta/|archive-date=2011-06-05|url-status=live}} It is capable of carrying a combined load up to 16 torpedoes, SM39 Exocet, and seaborne nuclear cruise missiles.{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/agosta/|title=SSK Agosta 90B Class Submarine, France|publisher=naval-technology.com|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605055603/http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/agosta/|archive-date=5 June 2011|url-status=live}}

The submarines were built through the technology transfer by France to Pakistan that resulted in complicated and lengthy negotiations between the Benazir Bhutto government and the Mitterrand administration in 1992, and signed with the Chirac administration in 1992.{{cite book|last1=Anwar|first1=Dr Muhammad|title=Friends Near Home: Pakistan's Strategic Security Options|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=9781467015417|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L0W51yRD0GwC&q=agosta+90+bhutto&pg=PA46|access-date=12 January 2017|language=en|date=2006-11-27}} The Agosta–90Bs were chosen over the British Upholder/Victoria class and the project was initially aimed at $520 million but the programme of technology transfer cost nearly $950 million, for which France first provided loans that were paid in five to six years.{{cite book|last1=Siddiqa-Agha|first1=A.|author-link1=Ayesha Siddiqa|title=Pakistan's Arms Procurement and Military Buildup, 1979-99: In Search of a Policy|date=2001|publisher=Springer|location=New York, [us]|isbn=9780230513525|pages=230|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=beJ8DAAAQBAJ&q=Agosta+90B+%24950&pg=PA162|access-date=17 January 2017|language=en|chapter-format=google books|chapter=§Arms Procurement for the Navy}}{{cite news|title=Agosta submarine deal - Benazir, Zardari not involved: ex-naval spy chief - The Express Tribune|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/86201/agosta-submarine-deal-benazir-zardari-not-involved-ex-naval-spy-chief/|access-date=17 January 2017|work=The Express Tribune|agency=The Express Tribune|issue=4/5|publisher=The Express Tribune, Islamabad|date=5 December 2010|location=Islamabad|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118051059/http://tribune.com.pk/story/86201/agosta-submarine-deal-benazir-zardari-not-involved-ex-naval-spy-chief/|archive-date=18 January 2017|url-status=live}} In 2000, France gave Pakistan the licence to offer commercial production of the submarines to potential customers.{{cite news|last1=Osman|first1=Ali|title=Pakistan's tool of war: Agosta 90B, our submarine in the deep|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1213256|access-date=12 January 2017|work=DAWN.COM|agency=Dawn newspapers|publisher=Dawn newspapers, Osman|date=19 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113123111/http://www.dawn.com/news/1213256|archive-date=13 January 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Agosta launched; ship deal on cards|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/54199|access-date=12 January 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=25 August 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113132558/http://www.dawn.com/news/54199|archive-date=13 January 2017|url-status=live}}

The SM39 was test-fired from a Khalid-class submarine in 2001.{{cite news |url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/english/200103/11/eng20010311_64677.html |title=Pakistan Navy Test-fires Two Missiles |work=People's Daily |date=11 March 2001 |access-date=19 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008184937/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/english/200103/11/eng20010311_64677.html |archive-date=8 October 2012 |url-status=live }}

In March 2018, DCNS, the original builder lost a bidding competition to the Turkish firm STM, for mid-life upgrades to the 3 class subs. The upgrades will replace "the submarine’s entire sonar suite, periscope systems, command and control system, radar and electronic support systems. HAVELSAN- [Turkey’s state-controlled military software company] and ASELSAN [Turkish defense contractor]-made systems will also be exported as part of the project.” As well as install a "SharpEye low probability-of-intercept (LPI) radar system aboard" and "make modifications on the pressure hull, the most critical structure in a submarine, by carrying out system-to-system and platform-to-system integrations for various systems, to be provided by local and foreign companies.”{{Cite web |last=Gady |first=Franz-Stefan |title=Turkey to Upgrade Pakistan Navy Attack Sub |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/03/turkey-to-upgrade-pakistan-navy-attack-sub/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

Further reading

  • {{cite book |editor-last=Darman |editor-first=Peter |date=2004 |title=Twenty-first Century Submarines and Warships |series=Military Handbooks|location=Rochester |publisher=Grange Books |isbn=1-84013-678-2}}
  • {{cite book |editor-last1=Gardiner |editor-first1=Robert |editor-last2=Chumbley |editor-first2=Stephen |editor-last3=Budzbon |editor-first3=Przemysław |date=1995 |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995 |location=Annapolis |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=1-55750-132-7}}
  • {{cite book |last1=Miller |first1=David |last2=Jordan |first2=John |date=1987 |title=Modern Submarine Warfare |location=New York |publisher=Military Press |isbn=0-517-64647-1}}
  • {{cite book |last=Miller |first=David |date=1989 |title=Modern Submarines |location=New York |publisher=Prentice Hall Press |series=Combat Arms |isbn=0-13-589102-7}}

External links

  • [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/agosta/ Naval Technology] page on Agosta 90B

{{Agosta class submarines}}{{Ship classes of the Spanish Navy}}

Category:Submarine classes

A

Category:Ship classes of the French Navy