Agosta 90B Submarine Sections Arrive from France
3 April 1999
KARACHI: The sections of the third Agosta 90-B Submarine, to be constructed in the Pakistan Navy Dockyard under an agreement of transfer of technology, arrived here from France on Saturday, 3 April 1999.
According to an ISPR press release, the first of these submarines named "PNS Khalid" has been constructed in France, presently successfully completing its sea trials is expected to reach home by the end of this year.
Pakistan received third and final parts of the Agosta 90-B Submarine under an agreement of transfer of technology with France, Pakistan Navy sources said on Sunday, 3 April 1999. A Dutch registered ship carrying parts for the submarine arrived at Karachi port and the parts were handed over to the Pakistan Navy officials.
The delivery follows a billion dollar deal with French for three Agosta 90-B submarines signed by Pakistan in 1994. Officials said the first of these submarines built in France and named 'PNS Khalid' was presently completing its sea trials. It is expected to reach Pakistan by the end of this year. Under the deal, the remaining two submarines are to be constructed in Pakistan.
The second is being built with the help of French experts since 1997 and the work on the third is also in progress since 1998, navy sources said. The work on both submarines will be completed within two to three years, they said. Sources said under the agreement three mine hunters were also being constructed with the assistance of France and have been inducted in Pakistan naval fleet.
The construction of second submarine is in full swing at the PN Dockyard. Pakistan Navy personnel are working day and night with great enthusiasm, and diligence to complete the construction of the submarine. Pakistan Navy has already constructed ships and mine-hunters by exploiting its indigenous resources and with the completion of this submarine, Pakistan will enter into an era of indigenous submarines construction.
The induction of Agosta 90-B submarines in Pakistan Navy will further enhance its lethality as these submarines are based on modern technology and will be equipped with adequate weapons. The submarine construction project is highly complex technically difficult and sophisticated more than any other project undertaken in Pakistan so far. An important consideration is the transfer of technology to Pakistan for submarine construction.
