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On 15 February, the Pakistan Navy’s (PN) Director Common of Public Relations (DGPR) revealed that Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) laid the keel of the PN’s sixth (of eight) Hangor-class submarines beneath order from China Shipbuilding & Offshore Worldwide Co. Ltd (CSOC).
This boat is the second of 4 Hangor-class submarines beneath development at KSEW, with the primary coming into manufacturing in December 2021. In keeping with the PN DGPR, the primary KSEW-built Hangor is in an “superior stage of development.” Nevertheless, the PN didn’t reveal when it expects both CSOC or KSEW to ship their respective submarines. The primary 4 boats have been initially due by 2023.
Background on the Hangor-Class Submarine Program
Picture of the metal chopping ceremony of the primary Hangor submarine being constructed at KSEW. Picture supply: PN DGPR
The Hangor-class submarine is the cornerstone of the PN’s efforts to each modernize and broaden its sub-surface fleet. Pakistan ordered the eight boats from CSOC in April 2015 as a part of a rumoured $4 billion to $5 billion US deal (that will have included the 4 Tughril-class/Sort 054A/P multi-mission frigates the PN ordered in 2017-2018 as effectively).
Underneath the settlement, KSEW would construct 4 of the submarines, whereas CSOC would ship the opposite 4 boats. In 2016, the PN disclosed that the primary 4 boats have been due for supply by 2023, whereas the ultimate 4 would arrive by 2028. This system has evidently missed the preliminary timeline, probably as a result of an surprising want to vary the Hangor’s engine from the German MTU 12V 396 SE84 to China’s CHD-620. In keeping with then Pakistan Military Chief of Military Workers (COAS), Common Qamar Javed Bajwa, the German authorities didn’t clear permits to export the MTU engines to be used on the Hangor.
Nevertheless, regardless of the obvious delay, the PN is continuing with the Hangor program. In truth, then PN CNS, Admiral Zafar Mahmoud Abbasi, introduced in 2020 that the PN will lease a Folks’s Liberation Military Navy (PLAN) Sort 039A to coach and acclimate its personnel forward of inducting the Hangor.
Technical Particulars
Specs of the brand new Hangor-class submarine introduced by Karachi Shipyards & Engineering Works (KSEW) at IDEAS 2018. Picture Supply: Quwa
That is the PN’s second Hangor-class submarine, following the 4 French-supplied Daphne diesel-electric submarines (SSK) acquired from the late Sixties. This iteration of the Hangor-class submarine is predicated on the CSOC S26, which is the export variant of the PLAN’s Sort-039A SSP.
Just like the S26, the Hangor-class SSP will use a Stirling AIP system, enabling it to function underwater with out snorkeling for lengthy intervals of time (probably as much as a number of weeks). Nevertheless, the Hangor-class additionally differs in some respects in comparison with the S26. For instance, in accordance with KSEW’s specs sheet, the Hangor-class has a heavier displacement than the S26 (2,800 tons versus the S26’s 2,550 tons) and is barely shorter (76 m to the S26’s 77.7 m).
Just like the S26, the Hangor will leverage six torpedo tubes (seemingly 533 mm in diameter) for deploying anti-ship cruising missiles (ASCM) and heavyweight torpedoes. The PN will even seemingly deploy the Babur 3 submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM) from the Hangor-class as effectively.
The PN didn’t disclose the way it will configure the Hangor-class SSP when it comes to sensors, electronics, or weapon programs. In upgrading its three Naval Group (now DCNS) Agosta 90B SSPs, the PN opted for a spread of Turkish, British, and European subsystems, equivalent to digital help measures (ESM) and digital intelligence (ELINT) programs, navigational radars, optronic masts and periscopes, and torpedo countermeasures. Thus, there’s a case to standardize the 2 SSP varieties of their subsystems to streamline coaching and interoperability. Then again, the PN could also be working in the direction of including regionally produced options, just like the RIBAT ESM suite, to all its submarine platforms.
RIBAT Digital Assist Measures (ESM) System for Sub-Floor Platforms. Picture Supply: GIDS
Pakistan Needs to Develop its ‘Silent Service’
As soon as the Hangor-class SSP is inducted, the PN will function 11 AIP-equipped boats, making it one of many largest operators of such submarines in Asia. Nevertheless, if the PN’s long-term plans proceed, these Hangor-class SSPs can be the one piece of its wider plans to broaden its ‘silent service.’
In early 2021, then PN CNS Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi revealed that the PN was searching for a brand new shallow-water assault submarines (SWATS). The PN DGPR later confirmed {that a} SWATS can be inducted someday within the 2020s. Thus, the primary SWATS boat could coincide with the supply of the final batch of Hangor SSPs, giving the PN a dozen or extra AIP boats by the early 2030s.
At the moment, plainly the PN’s main choices are the Turkish STM 500 and Italian Fincantieri S800. Sources advised Quwa that the PN’s SWATS necessities referred to as for an AIP-equipped design displacing round 700 tons and leveraging ESM and swimmer-delivery automobiles (SDV)…
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Is an Authentic Submarine a Purpose?
Nevertheless, Quwa believes that there’s a longer-term strategic aim surrounding the PN SWATS program – i.e., to ultimately design and construct an authentic submarine.
In 2020, then CNS Admiral Abbasi said the aim of the Hangor program was to remodel the PN from a “submarine-operating navy right into a submarine-building navy…”
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Unmanned Underwater Automobiles (UUV)
Pakistani UUV Program. Picture Supply: GIDS
The PN can be delving into the area of unmanned underwater automobiles (UUV). For instance, World Industrial & Defence Options (GIDS) lists {that a} UUV is beneath improvement in a state-owned entity (SOE)…
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