Syed Samiullah
The Agosta 90B submarine plays a crucial role in safeguarding Pakistan’s maritime security. With its advanced design and sophisticated specifications, it significantly enhances the nation’s defense capabilities at sea. The Agosta 90B, on a broader level, also symbolizes Pakistan’s strategic foresight in countering emerging maritime threats and dedication to upholding regional stability.
Development and acquisition
Pakistan’s acquisition of the Agosta 90B submarines was a key component of a broader initiative to modernize its naval forces in response to evolving regional security concerns, especially considering India’s adversarial stance. The Agosta 90B project was initiated in the late 1990s following Pakistan’s agreement with France to build three submarines.
The Agosta 90B was selected over the British Upholder/Victoria class, with the project’s initial budget set at $520 million. However, the inclusion of a technology transfer program increased the total cost to $950 million.
The first submarine, PNS Khalid (S137), was constructed in France and became part of the Pakistan Navy in 1999. A year later, in 2000, France provided Pakistan with the license to commercially produce and market the submarines to other potential buyers. Following this, the second submarine, PNS Saad (S138), was assembled in Pakistan at the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) with substantial technical support from France.
This achievement underscored Pakistan’s increasing self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing. The third submarine, PNS Hamza (S139), which was also built in Karachi, was commissioned in 2006. This submarine represented a significant advancement, as it was the first in the fleet to be equipped with an Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system.
Design and technical specifications
The Agosta 90B submarines are an evolution of the earlier Agosta 70 class, featuring numerous improvements in terms of stealth, endurance, and weapon systems. They are designed for various missions, including anti-ship warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and special operations.
1.Dimensions and structure: The Agosta 90B has a length of approximately 76 meters, a beam of 6.2 meters, and a draft of 5.4 meters. The submarine has a displacement of about 1,760 tons when surfaced and 2,050 tons when submerged. The hull is designed to enhance stealth, with a teardrop shape that reduces hydrodynamic drag and noise, making it harder to detect.
2.Propulsion: The Agosta 90B is powered by a combination of diesel engines and electric batteries, providing a top speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) when surfaced while 20.5 knots (38.0 km/h; 23.6 mph) when submerged. The inclusion of the MESMA (Module d’Energie Sous-Marine Autonome) Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system in the PNS Hamza significantly enhances the submarine’s submerged endurance, allowing it to stay underwater for up to 20 days without surfacing, compared to just a few days for conventional diesel-electric submarines.
3.Weapon Systems: The Agosta 90B is equipped with four 533 mm torpedo tubes capable of launching various torpedoes, including the Black Shark and the French F17 mod 2 wire-guided torpedoes. It can also deploy Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles, providing a potent strike capability against surface vessels. The submarine can carry up to 16 torpedoes or missiles in various configurations, depending on the mission requirements.
4.Sensors and Combat Systems: The Agosta 90B is equipped with advanced sonar systems, including passive and active sonar arrays, which provide superior underwater detection capabilities. The SUBTICS combat management system integrates data from various sensors and enables the crew to track and engage multiple targets simultaneously. The submarine also features electronic warfare systems, periscopes, and communication equipment that enable secure and stealthy operations.
5.Crew and habitability: The Agosta 90B can accommodate a crew of 36, including officers and enlisted personnel. The submarine’s design includes provisions for long-duration missions, with improved living conditions compared to older models, including better air conditioning, food storage, and waste management systems.
Strategic importance
The incorporation of the Agosta 90B submarines into the Pakistan Navy has greatly enhanced its underwater combat capabilities, providing a crucial advantage in the Indian Ocean region. Submarines, renowned for their stealth and power projection without detection, are considered the most formidable assets in naval warfare. The Agosta 90B, with its advanced features, especially the Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, plays a pivotal role in Pakistan’s naval strategy. The following points can further explain why this submarine is exceptionally well-suited for Pakistan.
1.Deterrence: The Agosta 90B plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s strategy of minimum credible deterrence, particularly in the context of its rivalry with India. The submarines are believed to be capable of launching nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, providing a second-strike capability that is essential for a credible deterrent posture.
2.Maritime Security: Pakistan’s coastline and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are of strategic importance, given the country’s reliance on sea lines of communication (SLOCs) for trade and energy supplies. The Agosta 90B submarines contribute to the protection of these SLOCs by ensuring that potential adversaries cannot operate with impunity in the region.
3.Asymmetric Warfare: In a scenario of conventional warfare, the Agosta 90B can be used to disrupt enemy naval operations, including blockading enemy ports, attacking surface fleets, and gathering intelligence. Its ability to operate undetected makes it an ideal platform for such asymmetric warfare tactics, which are central to Pakistan’s naval doctrine.
4.Regional power projection: The Agosta 90B enhances Pakistan’s ability to project power in the Indian Ocean, particularly in the Arabian Sea. This capability is critical in a region where multiple powers, including India, China, and the United States, have significant naval presence.
Operational challenges and future prospects
Although the Agosta 90B submarines have substantially enhanced Pakistan’s naval capabilities, they present certain challenges. The aging of these submarines, coupled with the necessity for regular maintenance and upgrades, remains a persistent concern. The Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, while extending the submarines’ endurance, demands advanced maintenance and logistical support, which can place a strain on Pakistan’s defense budget.
In response to these challenges and to maintain operational effectiveness, Pakistan has initiated a program to modernize its submarine fleet. This effort includes mid-life upgrades for the Agosta 90B class and the acquisition of newer submarines, such as the Chinese-designed Hangor-class (Type 039B/041) submarines.
In March 2018, DCNS, the original manufacturer, lost a bidding competition for the mid-life upgrades of the three Agosta 90B class submarines to the Turkish firm STM. The planned upgrades include replacing the entire sonar suite, periscope systems, command and control systems, radar, and electronic support systems.
Additionally, systems developed by Turkey’s state-controlled military software company, HAVELSAN, and defense contractor, ASELSAN, are being integrated as part of the project. The upgrades also involve installing a SharpEye low probability-of-intercept (LPI) radar system and making critical modifications to the pressure hull, ensuring seamless integration between various systems provided by both local and international companies.
The first submarine to undergo these upgrades, PNS/M HAMZA (S-139), was delivered to the Pakistan Naval Forces Command on April 29, 2021, marking a significant milestone in the modernization project. Subsequently, PNS/M KHALID (S-137), the first submarine to be completed under this project, was handed over on January 26, 2023. These efforts are designed to sustain a robust and modern submarine force capable of addressing future security challenges.
Conclusion
The Agosta 90B submarines have been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s naval defense strategy, providing the Pakistan Navy with a potent and versatile underwater platform. Their advanced capabilities, including stealth, endurance, and firepower, have not only enhanced Pakistan’s deterrence posture but also enabled it to play a more assertive role in regional maritime security.
As Pakistan continues to modernize its naval forces, the legacy of the Agosta 90B will undoubtedly influence future developments in its underwater warfare capabilities.
The author is Research Officer at Rabita Forum International (RFI) and Associate Editor of Monthly Interaction.
