Choosing French Submarine over

German?
Rational decision or risking Pakistani defence?

By: Farzana Shah

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A German team is due in few days probably on August 5th according to sources to look into
possibility of signing the accord for provision of U-214 submarines to Pakistan Navy.

U – 214 multi target capability

However reports appearing in the media suggest that the deal may hit snags due to change of
mind in the current Pakistani government over purchase of German submarines.

In 2008 Pakistan Navy under chief of naval staff Admiral Muhammad Afzal Tahir made efforts
for including German 214 Class submarines in its fleet and owing to Navy’s persistent efforts,
the government had approved plans for acquisition of these submarines to be built at Karachi
Shipyard under transfer of technology programme.

The details were later worked out between the two countries when a Pakistan Navy delegation
visited Germany in April.

However recently quoting Pakistani government sources, the Financial Times Deutschland
says President Asif Zardari may overrule his military’s preference for the German subs to
take up a “better offer” from France.

But what better submarines France can offer to Pakistan? That is a question to ponder because
France has no better submarines to offer Pakistan at the moment, whereas French are indeed not
ready to offer us nuclear submarine.

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What France has in store?

There are three options 1. Scorpion, 2. Marlin and 3. Barracuda submarines. But again the
scorpions are not superior to U 214, neither these will be having any benefit for Pakistan because
French company DCN is already going to provide Scorpion to Indian Navy ahead of Pakistan.

U-214 is way better than French design given to India. Marlin is just on drawing board and will
take forever to go to prototype stage and then test and evaluation and finally induction into
Pakistan Navy meanwhile India will have all its Scorpion in sea. DCN (Direction des
Constructions Navales), France will not be able to fulfill Pakistani order ahead of Indians.

Now the only option for Pakistan will be to ask for Barracuda submarine, but it is unlikely that
France will sell us nuclear submarine. Barracuda is a nuclear powered submarine and France
does not currently allow the sale of nuclear-propelled submarines.

Despite having French Agosta B submarines, the Pakistani Navy opted for purchasing German

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Torpedoes for fitting to Agosta B due to the superior German technology.

Pakistan Navy needs German submarines because the German U-214 subs are far better than the
French Scorpion.

Following is the comparison between French subs and German U 214.

Specifications of U-214

Crew

27 (including five officers)

Weapon Systems:
Torpedoes

Six 533mm tubes, 24 STN Atlas Elektronik DM2A4 torpedoes

Combat Data Syetem

Basic Command and Weapons Control System (BCWCS)

Countermeasures:

ESM

EADS

FL1800U

Decoys

TAU 2000 torpedo countermeasures system

Radar

Kelvin hughes type 1007 I-band navigation radar

Sonar

STN Atlas Elektronik DBQS-40 sonar suite and STN Atlas Elektronik MOA 3070 mine
detection sonar

Periscopes

4
Zeiss Optronic SERO 14 search and SERO 15 attack

Propulsion

Diesel-electric, MTU 16V-396 diesel engine, 3.12MW, HDW / Siemens AIP (Air-Independent
Propulsion) system, 300kW

U214 Dimensions:
Length

64m

Height

13m

Surface Displacement

1,700m³

Presure Hull Diameter

6.3m

Buoyancy Reserve 10%

U214 Performance:
Submerged Patrol Speed of Advance

6kt

Range

12,000nm

Mission Endurance

12 weeks

Constantly Submerged

Three weeks without snorkelling

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Mission Sprint Speed

15kt to 20kt

Maximum Dive Depth

400m+

Scorpion (Scorpène) Subs (French One) Specifications

Key Data:

Crew

32

Dimensions:
Overall Length

63.5m

Draught

5.4m

Submerged Displacement

1,590t

Surface Displacement

1,450t

Pressure Hull Weldable and High-Tensile Steel

80HLES, more than 700Mpa

Performance:
Maximum Operating Depth

350m

Submerged Speed

6
Over 20 kt

Range (at 8kt)

6,400nm

Endurance

50 days

Weapon Systems:
Torpedoes / Missiles

Six 21in torpedo tubes for 18 torpedoes / missiles

Comparison

Specs Scorpion U-214 Marlin

Crew 32 27
Maximum Operating 350 meters More than 400 meters
Depth
Range 6400 nm 12000 nm
Endurance 50 Days 84 Days

The comparison clearly indicates the superiority of German U-214 submarine.

If the current government goes for inferior quality French submarines then it will indeed give
weight to suspicion of many Pakistanis who see bribes as main factor behind any irrational
decisions viz viz defence deals.

Already the Pakistani senators have demanded in an incamera briefing from Pakistani Naval
chief in the Senate.

Whereas some eyebrows have also been raised over the fact that foreign secretary Salman Bashir
in the current government of Zardari is the brother of Naval Chief, Noman Bashir and there are
also some reports that PIA chairman is going to be named Pakistani envoy to France. Some
political pundits see such an appointment an attempt to muster a deal for French submarines.

On the other hand submarine acquisition project (SMAP) a group composed of Naval officers
who have recommended U-214 submarines over other options after extensive study has been
disbanded and the officers have been posted out at different stations.

Though earlier the Germans have delayed the deal due to political situation of Pakistan but can
kickoff cutting of hull for first submarine immediately after signing the deal.

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In such a situation going for something which does not fulfill the requirement of Pakistan Navy
would be tantamount to putting the national defence at risk.

There is no reason not to go for German submarines specially when Berlin even granted federal
export credit guarantees worth nearly $1.4 billion for the purchase of the same.