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Pak to commission its second French submarine on Dec 12
Islamabad, Nov 30: Pakistan would commission its second French-built Agosta class submarine on December 12, while its third submarine was expected to be ready next year.
Islamabad, Nov 30: Pakistan would commission its second French-built Agosta class submarine on December 12, while its third submarine was expected to be ready next year.
The Agosta 90-B class submarine being built at the Karachi docks with the assistance of the French engineers will be formally commissioned on Dec 12, Pak naval officials
told reporters here.
Named as "Saad" the new submarine has undergone intensive tests of its state-of-the-art propulsion, depth and weapon system.
The submarine is the second of the three subs for which Pakistan has entered into a $1 billion deal with France.
The project has been delayed due to last year bomb attack on French engineers by Islamist militants in Karachi in which several of them were killed. France has already delivered the first submarine named "Khalid" last year.
The third Agosta 90-B "Hamza", which is expected to be delivered to the navy in 2004, is under construction in Karachi. France has also given three mine hunters to Pakistan under a similar agreement. The French submarines has the capacity to launch Exocet missiles and a variety of multipurpose wire guided torpedoes. The subs also could last underwater for more than 60 days. Pakistan navy says that the subs could increase its capability to deny supremacy to Indian Navy.
Named as "Saad" the new submarine has undergone intensive tests of its state-of-the-art propulsion, depth and weapon system.
The submarine is the second of the three subs for which Pakistan has entered into a $1 billion deal with France.
The project has been delayed due to last year bomb attack on French engineers by Islamist militants in Karachi in which several of them were killed. France has already delivered the first submarine named "Khalid" last year.
The third Agosta 90-B "Hamza", which is expected to be delivered to the navy in 2004, is under construction in Karachi. France has also given three mine hunters to Pakistan under a similar agreement. The French submarines has the capacity to launch Exocet missiles and a variety of multipurpose wire guided torpedoes. The subs also could last underwater for more than 60 days. Pakistan navy says that the subs could increase its capability to deny supremacy to Indian Navy.
Bureau Report