Agosta-class submarine explained

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 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 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."[1]

The Agosta class is named for its lead unit,, which in turn was named for the Battle of Augusta (French: Agosta) of 22 April 1676.

Ships

French Navy

built by Arsenal de Cherbourg

Spanish Navy

built by Cartagena dockyard

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.[5] 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.[6] Dubigeon-Normandie, the French contractor, built two Agosta-70 class submarine.[7] However, France denied to order of delivery to South African Navy following the implementation of Resolution 418 (an arms embargo) by the United Nations.[8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

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.[13] 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.[14] [15]

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.[16] It is capable of carrying a combined load up to 16 torpedoes, SM39 Exocet, and seaborne nuclear cruise missiles.[17]

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.[18] 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 costed $950 million, for which France first provided loans that were paid in five to six years.[19] [20] In 2000, France gave Pakistan the licence to offer commercial production of the submarines to potential customers.[21] [22]

The SM39 was test-fired from a Khalid-class submarine in 2001.[23]

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.”[24]

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Agosta 90B « PakDef Military Consortium. Shabbir. Usman. pakdef.org. « PakDef Military Consortium. 12 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216205302/http://pakdef.org/agosta-90b/. 16 February 2017.
  2. https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/4723183/armada-da-baja-submarino-tramontana La Armada da de baja el submarino Tramontana
  3. 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
  4. https://www.puentedemando.com/el-submarino-s-74-tramontana-causa-baja-en-la-armada/ El submarino S-74 “Tramontana” causa baja en la Armada
  5. Book: South Africaʼs Fighting Ships: Past and Present. Toit. Allan Du. 1992. Ashanti Pub. Pty Limited. 9781874800507. 359. en. 29 September 2018.
  6. Book: South African orders, decorations, and medals. Alexander. E. G. McGill. Barron. Gary K. B.. Bateman. Anthony J.. 1986. Human & Rousseau. 9780798118958. 160. en. snippet view. 29 September 2018.
  7. Web site: AGOSTA 70A. Shabbir. Usman. June 2003. pakdef.org. « PakDef Military Consortium. Islamabad. en-k. 29 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216205302/http://pakdef.org/agosta-90b/. 2017-02-16. dead.
  8. Book: Politics in South Africa: From Vorster to de Klerk. Maguire. Keith. 1991. Chambers. 9780550207524. 151 . snippet view. 29 September 2018.
  9. Victor . Moukambi . Relations between South Africa and France with special reference to military matters, 1960-1990 . 2008-10-13 . . 10019.1/1228 . DPhil.
  10. Andre . Wessels . 20 April 2007 . The South African Navy During The Years of Conflict In Southern Africa, 1966-1989 . Journal for Contemporary History . 31 . 3 . 283–303 . 10520/EJC28400 . dmy-all.
  11. Web site: Pakistan Submarine Capabilities. NTI. Nuclear Threat Initiatives staffer. www.nti.org. Nuclear Threat Initiatives. 12 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20120531141959/http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/pakistan-submarine-capabilities/. 31 May 2012. live.
  12. Book: No Easy Answers: The Development of the Navies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, 1945-1996 . Goldrick. James. 1995. Lancer Publishers. 9781897829028. Sydney, Australia . 12 January 2017.
  13. Web site: Hashmat Class (Fr Agosta-70) . www.globalsecurity.org . 14 October 2023.
  14. Book: The Fourth Round: Indo-Pak War 1984. Rikhye. Ravi. 1985. ABC Publishing House. 253 . 29 September 2018.
  15. Book: Seaforth World Naval Review 2012. Waters. Conrad. 2011. Seaforth Publishing. 9781783830985 . 29 September 2018.
  16. News: SSK Agosta 90B Class Submarine - Naval Technology. Naval Technology. 2017-10-30. en-GB. https://web.archive.org/web/20110605055603/http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/agosta/. 2011-06-05. live.
  17. Web site: SSK Agosta 90B Class Submarine, France. naval-technology.com. 19 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20110605055603/http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/agosta/. 5 June 2011. live.
  18. Book: Anwar. Dr Muhammad. Friends Near Home: Pakistan's Strategic Security Options. AuthorHouse. 9781467015417. 12 January 2017. en. 2006-11-27.
  19. Book: Siddiqa-Agha. A.. Ayesha Siddiqa. Pakistan's Arms Procurement and Military Buildup, 1979-99: In Search of a Policy. 2001. Springer. New York, [us]. 9780230513525. 230. https://books.google.com/books?id=beJ8DAAAQBAJ&q=Agosta+90B+%24950&pg=PA162. 17 January 2017. en. google books. §Arms Procurement for the Navy.
  20. News: Agosta submarine deal - Benazir, Zardari not involved: ex-naval spy chief - The Express Tribune. 17 January 2017. The Express Tribune. The Express Tribune. 4/5. The Express Tribune, Islamabad. 5 December 2010. Islamabad. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118051059/http://tribune.com.pk/story/86201/agosta-submarine-deal-benazir-zardari-not-involved-ex-naval-spy-chief/. 18 January 2017. live.
  21. News: Osman. Ali. Pakistan's tool of war: Agosta 90B, our submarine in the deep. 12 January 2017. DAWN.COM. Dawn newspapers. Dawn newspapers, Osman. 19 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20170113123111/http://www.dawn.com/news/1213256. 13 January 2017. live.
  22. News: Agosta launched; ship deal on cards. 12 January 2017. DAWN.COM. 25 August 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20170113132558/http://www.dawn.com/news/54199. 13 January 2017. live.
  23. News: Pakistan Navy Test-fires Two Missiles . People's Daily . 11 March 2001 . 19 May 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121008184937/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/english/200103/11/eng20010311_64677.html . 8 October 2012 . live .
  24. Web site: Gady . Franz-Stefan . Turkey to Upgrade Pakistan Navy Attack Sub . 2022-03-02 . thediplomat.com . en-US.

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