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KSA & UAE - Submarine Options

KSA had proposed to buy 5 German Type-209 with an option of buying another 25 for a total deal of more than 15 billion $, but German politics prevented it from happening, the same has happened with the Leopard deal for almost a thousand MBTs..This proves the will and need to have submarines, at least as far as KSA is concerned..

There are not many choices in the SSK market, apart from the French Scorpene and other designs on paper, you find the Italian/German Type-212 (my personal preference, but that is not the point here, since it is just tech-wise), The Italians had advertised it for export for a while, but we heard nothing of it afterwards..There are the Swedish potent subs that are possible to be acquired by the UAE but not by KSA due again to the same political reasons as the Germans, namely "Human rights issues"..Now we are left with another potent and already liked Platform by KSA, the South Korean version of the Type-209 or latest Type-214 made under licence, with the right to export them, as the deal with Indonesia proves it..(http://thediplomat.com/2016/03/south-korea-launches-first-indonesian-stealth-submarine/ ...........................South Korean defense contractor Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) launched the first out of three Type 209/1400 Chang Bogo-class (a license-built variant of the 209) diesel-electric attack submarines for service in the Indonesian Navy, IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly reports.).. This one is feasible for KSA, but won't come with any ToT, as it is made under a German licence..

The Scorpene or other French SSK designs can come with ToT, but like for Pakistan previously, not the MESMA AIP technology.. And with the latest leaks!!!?

So, we are left with the most complete and probable option, which is the Chinese one, it can be potent, economic, and comprises more ToT than any other prospects..Studies should now be done on the requirements, but mainly the tech involved, since these subs can have open architecture, many advanced western systems and technologies can be incorporated into their KSA's specific design, although the Chinese systems might already be in par with most Western systems, and if this proves to be true, the Western tech will be kept at minimum..Anyhow, Acquiring a few modern Chinese submarines with ToT will give a kick start to KSA's planned military industrialization; the naval branch in this instance and more specifically the submarine warfare know-how and technology..
As for the UAE the doors are open almost everywhere, it will depend on the quantity and/or the quality of ToT it wants to get in its Subs, German subs are the best, so it will be wise to start with 2 type-214 or the Swedish ones, both come with AIP, the Germans have fuel cell technology while the Swedish have the Sterling engine tech, and then go for advanced JV options for the future with Turkey, South Korea or China..
 
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Put yourself in their shoes, and then tell me why.

As per my opinion, they do not require submarines at this point of time.

But because you started this thread to discuss, so hypothetically there are only 2 roles they would require a sub for:

  1. Sea Denial
  2. Protection of SLOCs.
For this any modern diesel electric sub would suffice.
RSNF has a history with the french, so looking towards France would be the most viable option for them.
 

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