Uses?
What uses?
Look who's talking of conjectures and uninformed opinion.
Did you even happen to read my post #207 above?
Read
@kalu_miah's linked post and if you wish, let's argue based on facts, not simple one liner responses.
That is - if you want to.
Back on topic,
@Arsalan bhai had posted an image of the 100 ton class
SX-756 Class midget submarine sometime back - these are used by Pakistan's SSGN.
"The SX-756 submarines were the first of a new design by Cosmos of Livorno. The first 3 craft were sold to Pakistan in kit form and arrived in Karachi in 1988. When the deal for the submarines was signed, it was no coincidence that Adm Tariq Kamal Khan was CNS. As a former SSGN and first CO of PNS Iqbal following its commission on 29 March 1967, he understood full well the potential of SOF and unconventional warfare. Cosmos marketed the submarine as the MG-110 along with another variant known as the MG-120ER. The latter is known to be in service with Italy, South Korea and Columbia. The SDV's delivered to PN in the 1970's are no longer in use and were withdrawn from service in the late 90's. Some of thse SDV's now serve as reminders of a past era for SSGN as part of a display at the Maritime museum in Karachi."
Source:
PN mini-submarine fleet | Page 2
Here's a dockyard view,
Also on topic, DCNS had discussed the building of the mid-sized SMX-23 class in Pakistan sometime back (Late 2000's).
These mid-sized 800 ton subs can stay closer to shore (say within 100 miles) and can provide a second layer of defense before the enemy gets to the third layer - which is shore-based missile defenses and the above 100 ton midget subs for both air and surface-based intruders (such as para-trooper dropping aircraft, landing craft, hovercraft etc.).
Further Info on the Pakistani SX-756 class. Cos.Mo.S. Spa from Italy who designed these is now bankrupt. Karachi Shipyard can start making copies and selling them to willing Navies - there are plenty of takers.
Instruments: Hydrocompass, autopilot, two sonars, automatic direction finder, bathythermograph, underwater telephone, radio and satellite communications, optical and television periscopes, navigation console, doppler log, and underwater collision avoidance apparatus.
The SX-756 is a straightforward adaptation of the earlier SX-506 model, with increased range, endurance and weapons carrying capacity, resulting in a 2.2 meter increase in length. South Korea and Pakistan are the only two countries known to have operated SX-756s. Cos.Mo.S. fabricated five of these boats on-site in South Korea from prefabricated sections shipped out from the company’s factory in Livorno. Three more were purchased by Pakistan. In service, Korea’s boats were designated SX-756/K while Pakistan’s were referred to as SX-756/W. The three Pakistani boats were later upgraded to MG-110/LR (see later entry).
Intended missions for the SX-756 were largely the same as for Cos.Mo.S’ previous boats, with the additional option of a torpedo attack capability carried as an add-on external tube.
Specifications:
Crew: 6 plus 8 swimmers.
Propulsion: 1x 200-hp Diesel engine, 1x 55-hp electric motor;
Cruising range on diesel engines: 1600 miles at 6 knots; on the electric motor 60 miles at 4 knots.
Full speed: 8.5kts surfaced, 6kts submerged.
Displacement: 73 tons surface, 80 tons submerged.
Endurance: 20 days
Dimensions: Length: 25.2 meters (82.68 feet), Beam 2.1 meters
Armament options:
(A) 6x Mk. 21 bottom-type mines (300 kg explosives), 8x Mk. 11 charges (50 kg of explosives) and 40x small magnetic mines;
(B) 6x ammunition charge containers with an overall weight of 1800kg;
(C) 2x CE2F/60 (or 100) chariot SDVs and 8x Mk.11 charges or 8x magnetic mines;
(D) 2x 324-mm torpedo tubes and two spare torpedoes (tube mounted externally in same place as chariots);
(E) 6x Mk.21/W bottom mines (300 kg explosives) and 8x Mk.11/W mines.
The torpedo apparatus and containers, bottom mines are placed on external mounts, the small demolition charges are carried between the casing and upper hull cylinder
On a more modern subject, South Korea also uses the KSS 500A which is another 500 ton midget sub, perfect for Bangladesh littoral waters.
While the public has yet to lay eyes on designs for this third-phase Korean attack submarine (planned for deployment sometime around 2018) the
Kormarine Expo 2011 Naval & Defense Show did preview what’s currently brewing in South Korea’s submarine development world, namely the
KS 500A Submarine, a domestically designed and produced replacement for the aging
Dolgorae midget submarines:
The KSS 500A will fill a similar mission profile to the Dolgorae Class, tabbed for special operations within littoral /coastal regions. It’s larger than the Dolgorae (37m length/510ton surface displacement, compared to the Dolgorae’s 25m length/150 tons), though still significantly smaller than the ROK Navy’s attack submarines. The KSS 500A will be far quieter than the obsolete Dolgorae, and with its new lithium-ion battery engine systems, should be able to reduce indiscretion rates compared to many current diesel-battery configurations.
The submarine can operate with a minimum crew of five, although ten will be standard for continual operation via shifts. It will have deployment capabilities for seven or more special operations forces, likely deployable without need for surfacing. This is seen as an important asset in conducting surveillance and insertion missions against North Korea in the shallow coastal regions of the Yellow Sea. The KSS 500A will also have a weapons compliment consisting of up to two heavy torpedoes, four light torpedoes, mines and/or vertically launched missiles.
The submarine is a believed test bed for the ROKN’s final phase in their attack submarine program, as many of the technologies planned for these submarines will likely see larger-scale integration on their phase three attack submarines. Current plans are for five to be produced, with construction set to begin next year.
As the ROK Navy begins shopping around their older submarines (in both building new type 209s for other countries, or potentially selling their oldest 209s), it will be interesting to see South Korea’s plans for it’s modern submarine fleet continue to evolve and grow. The introduction of the KSS-500A gives a good template for where the ROK Navy’s currently heading with their technology and hull designs.
We eagerly await seeing how the KSS 500A stacks up against similar submarines in its class, as well as learning more about how its success/failure will impact the third phase of attack sub development.
