France OKs Sub Talks With Pakistan

[Neo]

Mark,

When do you expact the Marlin or U-214 deal to be finalised.
Is there a deadline?

 

[Quwa]

Mark,

When do you expact the Marlin or U-214 deal to be finalised.
Is there a deadline?

According to the PN Chief on GEO:

Commenting on the process of equipping Pakistan Navy with latest platforms, he said that besides the project of F-22 P frigates with China and operationalization and induction of P 3C aircraft, Navy is also in advance stage to acquire Z9-Chelicopters and is about to finalise acquisition of new advanced sub-marines

I expect the deal to be finalized and all the main details to be disclosed by the end of 2007. The deal will likely involve local production in KSEW and this SSK will likely form the mainstay of the Navy's submarine fleet in the long-run. Personally I think it is U-214 because it is not based off and is superior to Scorpene, and it can readily use Harpoon Block II. IDAS is also an interesting weapon, it would boost the PN's Air Defence capability.