Warships Forecast
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Agosta-90B
Outlook
Last Pakistani Agosta-90B commissioned in September 2008
Pakistan Navy has opted for Type 214 as its next submarine
No other sales prospects
Agosta-90B no longer being promoted on the market
Future sales efforts are concentrating on Scorpene
Orientation
Description. Diesel-electric patrol/attack submarine Status. In service.
(SSK).
Total Produced. Three completed.
Sponsor
Direction des Construction Navales (DCN) International
10 Rue Sextius Michel
F-75015 Paris
France
Tel: + 33 1 4059 5000
Fax: + 33 1 4059 5408
Pennant List
Name Builder Launch Date Commission Date
S-137 Khalid DCN, Cherbourg (France) 8/8/1998 9/13/1999
S-138 Saad DCN, Cherbourg/Karachi DY 8/2002 12/12/2003
S-139 Hamza Karachi Dockyard 9/2006 9/2008
Mission. Anti-submarine and anti-surface ship Price Range. Based on the publicized contract value,
warfare, special operations and intelligence gathering. the price of a single unit is roughly $320 million.
Contractors
Prime
DCNS http://www.dcns.fr, 2, rue Sextius Michel, Paris, 75732 France, Tel: + 33 1 40 59 50 00,
Fax: + 33 1 40 59 56 48, Email: info@dcn.fr, Prime
©2009 July 2009
Page 2 Warships Forecast
Agosta-90B
Thales Naval France http://www.thalesgroup.com/naval, 7-9 rue des Mathurins, Bagneux, 92221 France,
Tel: + 33 40 84 20 00, Fax: + 33 40 84 2915, Second Prime
Subcontractor
Bainbridge International 8, Flanders Park, Hedge End, Southampton, SO30 2FZ Hampshire, United Kingdom
(Flame Retardant Protection Systems)
Calzoni Srl http://www.calzonispa.com, Via Bargellino 25/A, Calderara di Reno, Bologna, 40012
Italy, Tel: + 39 0514 1377, Fax: + 39 0514 1375 55, Email: calzoni@calzonispa.com
(Hoistable Masts)
Compagnie Deutsch http://www.compagnie-deutsch.com, 65 ave de Colmar, Rueil-Malmaison, 92507 Cedex,
France, Tel: + 33 155472550 (Cable Assemblies)
EPCOTS http://www.epcots.fr/anglais/index.html, 66 Impasse Branly, Zone Industrielle BP99,
Toulon, 83079 France, Tel: + 33 498 080000, Fax: + 33 498 080008 (Sound Isolation)
Eurotorp http://www.eurotorp.com, 525 route des Dolines, Sophia Antipolis, 06903 France,
Tel: + 33 4 92 96 38 50, Fax: + 33 4 92 96 38 55, Email: et@eurotorp.com (Torpedoes)
Hale Hamilton Valves UK Ltd http://www.halehamilton.com/, Cowley Rd, Uxbridge, UB8 2AF Middlesex, United
Kingdom, Tel: + 44 0 1895 236525, Fax: + 44 0 1895 231407 (Valves)
L-3 Communications - ELAC- http://www.elac-nautik.de, Neufeldtstrasse, Kiel, 24118 Germany, Tel: + 49 431 883 0,
Nautik GmbH Fax: + 49 431 883 496, Email: marketing@elac-nautik.com (Echosounders)
MAN B&W Diesel AG http://www.manbw.com, Stadtbachstrass 1, Augsburg, 86153 Germany,
Tel: + 49 821 322 0, Fax: + 49 821 322 3382, Email: info@manbw.de (Diesel Engines)
SMAC http://www.caoutchouc-elastomere-suspension.com/, 66 Impasse Branly, Zone
Industrielle BP11966, Toulon, 83079 France, Tel: + 33 494 752488,
Fax: + 33 494 4759499 (Rafting)
Thales Information Systems http://www.thalesgroup.com/security-services/, 66-68 Av Pierre Brossolette, Malakoff,
92247 France, Tel: + 33 1 41 48 00 00, Fax: + 33 1 41 48 00 10 (Communication
Equipment)
Thales Underwater Systems http://www.thalesgroup.com/naval, 525 Route Des Dolines, BP 157, Sophia Antipolis,
06903 France, Tel: + 33 4 92 96 30 00, Fax: + 33 4 92 96 39 50, Email: TUS@thales-
underwater.com (DSUV 62 Sonar)
Comprehensive information on Contractors can be found in Forecast International’s “International Contractors” series. For a detailed description,
go to www.forecastinternational.com (see Products & Samples/Governments & Industries) or call + 1 (203) 426-0800.
Contractors are invited to submit updated information to Editor, International Contractors, Forecast International, 22 Commerce Road, Newtown,
CT 06470, USA; rich.pettibone@forecast1.com
July 2009
Warships Forecast Page 3
Agosta-90B
Technical Data
Metric U.S.
Dimensions
Length 67.6 m 221.7 ft
Beam 6.8 m 22.3 ft
Draft 5.4 m 17.7 ft
Height (keel to top of sail) 11.7 m 38.5 ft
Displacement
Standard 1,270 tonnes 1,250 tons
Surfaced 1,595 tonnes 1,570 tons
Submerged 1,788 tonnes (2,082 with AIP) 1,760 tons (2,050)
Performance
Speed – Surfaced 22 kmph 12 kt
Speed – Submerged (max, 5 min) 37 kmph 20 kt
Speed – Submerged (60 min) 31 kmph 17 kt
Range – Transit >18,500 km at 13 kph >10,000 nm at 7 kt
Range – Snorting 15,750 km at 17 kph 8,500 nm at 9 kt
Range – Submerged 650 km at 6.5 kph 350 nm at 3.5 kt
Diving Depth 350 m 1,150 ft
Endurance 68 days 68 days
Crew 36 (7 officers) + 6 spares 36 (7 officers) + 6 spares
Reverse Osmosis Capability (fresh water) 2 tonnes/day 2 tons/day
Type Number
Weaponry
Missiles Exocet SM39 anti-ship N/A (using torpedo tubes)
Torpedoes F17P Mod 2 16 (total including missiles)
Mines Stonefish 28 (alternative payload)
Torpedo Tubes 550mm 4
Electronics
Countermeasures: ESM Thales DR-3000U
Weapons Control Suite Thales Underwater Systems SUBTICS
Mk 2
Radars
Surface Search DRUA-33D Calypso 1
Sonars Eledone Suite
Bow Array DUUA-2B 1
Flank Array DUUA-1D 1
Distributed Passive Array DSUV-2H 1
Intercept Array DUUX-2A 1
Towed Array DSUV-62 1
Periscopes
Search SOPELEM J 95 1
Attack SOPELEM ST5 95 1
Propulsion
Diesels SEMT-Pielstick 16PA4V185G 2x 1,800 shp
Generators (alternators) N/A 2x 0.85 MW
Electric Propulsion Motor Jeumont Schneider 1x 3,400 shp (2,200 kW)
©2009 July 2009
Page 4 Warships Forecast
Agosta-90B
Type Number
Creep-speed Motor N/A 1x 32 shp
Propeller Single shaft 1
N/A = Not Available.
Design Features. The Agosta-90B class is a direct screen, multifunction color consoles for sonar analysis,
descendant of the French Agosta class submarine of the command and control, and weapon management
1970s. It retains the original Agosta-70 double-hull functions. The consoles are based on ruggedized
design but introduces significant improvements in the PowerPC workstation hardware. The entire sonar suite
boat's acoustic discretion and its ability to detect other of the submarine is integrated through SUBTICS, and
submarines. The hydrodynamics of the hull, its includes a clip-on towed array and an active array in
appendages, and the propeller have been optimized for addition to the bow, ranging, and intercept arrays. The
maximum sound suppression. Furthermore, the SUBTICS combat suite has a distributed modular
propulsion machinery, diesel engines, and auxiliaries architecture. It makes extensive use of commercial
are all rafted, contributing to the lower noise signature. off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software standards.
These include high-speed RISC processors, the TCP/IP
The acoustic, optical, electromagnetic, and heat sensors
communications protocol, an X-Windows/Motif
have all been upgraded from the earlier Agosta series.
graphical user interface, and the UNIX operating
The hull has the same external dimensions, but is now
system. The applications software is written in
built from high-tensile HLES 80 steel, providing deeper
C language, and the graphics function in C++.
diving capability. Meanwhile, the displacement has
increased slightly, to 1,570 tonnes (surfaced). Operational Characteristics. The Agosta-90B has
greater endurance than the earlier Agosta versions,
Part of the increased range is attributable to the
along with a substantially improved propulsion source
new-design batteries supplied by CEAC. These consist
and better diving capability. When compared to
of two 160-cell units, and offer improved extended
conventional diesel-electric submarines, the MESMA
underwater performance.
AIP system is intended to provide up to five times
The 90B was the first export platform to utilize the longer diving endurance. The longer endurance is
French air independent propulsion (AIP) system known attributable to the fact that the batteries can be
as MESMA (Module d'Energie Sous-Marin Autonome). recharged without having to go to snort mode. An
The system was developed by a team that consisted of example of a typical mission profile for the submarine is
DCN and the French companies L'Air Liquide, Bertin, a 40-day patrol mission at a speed of 4 knots, preceded
Framatome, and Technica-tome, plus the Spanish by a 10-day outward transit period at a speed of 7 knots,
Navantia group. This AIP system is based on the and followed by another 10-day transit period at 7 knots
closed-circuit combustion of ethanol and oxygen. to return to the base. The range of intervention in such
MESMA couples a primary high-pressure, 60-bar a scenario would be 1,680 nautical miles.
combustion heat-generation loop with a secondary
Thanks to its higher degree of automation, the
Rankine thermodynamic loop.
Agosta-90B model is able to operate with fewer men,
The first and second boats of the series are scheduled to and requires a crew of only 36 (7 officers and 29 senior
receive the AIP system as a retrofit at their first interim and junior mates) as opposed to 54 on the original
upgrade. Until then, they will operate as traditional Agostas. In the control room, for instance, the staffing
diesel-electric SSKs. The MESMA system will be on each watch is down to nine from 13, including five in
fitted as a plug-in unit that also comprises the liquid combat system watch (previously seven) and four in
oxygen and ethanol storage area, the steam module, and platform management (down from six). Only one
a turbine for electrical power generation. The system is roundsman and one plant watch are now needed for the
installed as new on the third boat of the class. aft machinery spaces, as opposed to three on the old
Agostas.
The SUBTICS integrated submarine sonar, combat,
command, and weapons control suite features six twin-
Variants/Upgrades
Agosta-70. This is the original Agosta class and another two to Pakistan. Pakistan's two Agostas
submarine introduced in the 1970s. Four of these were were introduced into service in 1979 and 1980, and are
sold to the French Navy, four to the Spanish Armada, still in use today. These original Agostas were lighter in
July 2009
Warships Forecast Page 5
Agosta-90B
displacement (1,490 tonnes surfaced) and noisier, and Undersea endurance was reportedly up by nine days, to
had more primitive electronics and weapons systems 54, and the cruising range was up to 9,630 nautical
than the 90B models now being bought. miles at 8 knots, from the original Agosta's 8,500
nautical miles at 9 knots.
Agosta-80. This was an upgraded model from the
original Agosta, with a new propulsion system whose Khalid. The name of the Agosta-90B class in the
output was 20 percent higher, at 4,200 kW. This model Pakistan Navy.
also had a new type of battery that was recharged by
PNS Hamza. The third unit of the Khalid class, the
two 850-kW diesel-electric generators while in surface
PNS Hamza, is equipped with a MESMA AIP system
or snorkel mode. As a result, the submarine's maximum
that makes it less dependent on frequent surfacing for
cruising speed could be maintained for longer periods.
renewal of its oxygen stores. Otherwise, the
The -80 was also specifically designed to house the performance of the Hamza is similar to that of the other
SM39 ASuW missile and the F-17P torpedo. Thanks to two. The new submarine's length has increased from 67
its smaller crew (45 versus 50), the Agosta-80 was able to 76 meters, and the submerged displacement from
to remain submerged for longer periods than the original 1,760 tons to 2,050 tons. If successful, the air-
Agosta. Additionally, the crew quarters of the independent system is expected to expand the diving
Agosta-80 were generally superior to those on the range and, more importantly, the submarine's ability to
original Agosta. Furthermore, the food-preparation stay under water for extended periods of time. Some
machinery had been upgraded, and the submarine was sources suggest that underwater endurance has tripled.
equipped with an air-conditioning system that allowed
operations in tropical climates.
Agosta-90B Class Submarine of the Pakistan Navy
Source: DCNI
Program Review
©2009 July 2009
Page 6 Warships Forecast
Agosta-90B
Background. In 1991, Pakistan began negotiating In short, the technology transfer has meant a major leap
with potential suppliers for delivery of up to three forward for the shipbuilding capabilities of the region.
submarines to replace its aging Daphne class boats. The
In April 1997, Pakistan's chief of naval staff, Admiral
final bidders included France's DCN International along
Mansurul Haq, was dismissed by the country's Prime
with Sweden's Kockums, which offered the T-96 variant
Minister Nawaz Sharif. Although reportedly unrelated
of the A-19 Gotland model; Britain's MoD/Vickers
to the delivery schedule for the new Agostas, Haq's
Shipbuilding & Engineering Ltd team with its
dismissal was presumably in response to his
Upholders (taken from U.K. service); and China State
inappropriate involvement in the bidding process. The
Shipbuilding, with a modified version of the Project 033
dismissal followed weeks of growing scandal over
Romeo class boat.
alleged financial bungling and the launch of an
An order for a batch of three was officially signed in investigation into a possible kickback scheme
Islamabad, Pakistan, on September 20, 1994, by surrounding the submarines. Haq was believed to have
Pakistan's defense minister Aftab Shaban Mirani and his been involved in the corruption scandal.
French colleague, François Leotard. It was reported that
At about the same time, the French government sent a
the decision to go with the French design was
French Navy Agosta class submarine on a promotional
substantially influenced by the fact that the French
tour of Southeast Asia. This road show was presumably
government had made both the MESMA AIP
intended to raise sales for French defense industry
technology and the SM39 anti-ship missiles available to
suppliers. On tour, the submarine La Praya carried both
this particular export client. Both are features that had
torpedoes and SM39 anti-ship missiles, plus a new color
not been available to any other Indian Ocean country.
flat-screen display and other more recent electronics
The combination of these two capabilities was said to
systems. The tour was extended to potential submarine
allow Pakistan to counter the Indian Navy, which
client countries in the region, Pakistan included.
operates aircraft carriers and maritime strike aircraft in
the region. In short, the equipment was chosen to First 90B Rolled Out
provide a cost-effective, anti-blockade deterrent against
possible actions by India in adjacent sea areas. At the The first Agosta-90B submarine for Pakistan was rolled
time of the deal, the world press considered the sale a out of the manufacturing plant at DCN in August 1998
shift in the region's power balance. and launched shortly thereafter. It was commissioned
into the Pakistan Navy as the PNS Khalid in September
Sold to Pakistan 1999. The second boat was delivered to Pakistan in
three sections on board a freighter in May 1998, and
When the contract was awarded, it was also noted that
components for the third boat arrived in the fall of the
the deal would allow the French shipbuilding industry to
same year.
keep its submarine construction capability in an active
state, since that country's domestic programs were in a A team of about 60 Pakistan Navy personnel was in
transitional phase. The contract was estimated to residence in Cherbourg, France, during the construction
provide 3.5 million man-hours of work for DCN process to oversee all aspects of the contract. In 1998, a
facilities in Cherbourg, Indret, and Ruelle, as well as for team of 15 to 20 engineers from DCN was dispatched to
other contractors including Thomson-CSF (now Thales) the Pakistani shipyard to oversee the technology transfer
and Jeumont Schneider. program.
The technology transfer arrangement, which is At the last minute, delivery of the first-in-class was
considered quite ambitious for Pakistan, stipulated that delayed by a political protest by the French government
the first submarine should be built entirely in France, in October 1999. Apparently dismayed by the bloodless
while the second would be assembled in Pakistan from military coup in Pakistan on October 12, French
sections manufactured at the French company's authorities notified the departing submarine that its way
Cherbourg site. The third ship would be built entirely in out of the naval base in Toulon (France) would be
Pakistan at the Karachi shipyard. The materials and blocked. However, in an obvious move to sustain the
equipment for that one, too, would be supplied by DCN diplomatic relations between the two countries, the
from France. Of the total contract sum, it is estimated measures were lifted a few days later and the submarine
that $100 million will be spent to upgrade the Pakistan was allowed to leave.
Navy's Karachi shipyard, and another $100 million to
The SM39 anti-ship missile has yet to be procured
purchase machine tools from France. In the process, the
under a separate contract. This relatively new missile
Karachi shipyard has been upgraded to and certified for
joins the Pakistan Navy's Sub-Harpoons, which were
the ISO 9002 international quality-assurance standards.
bought in the mid-1980s. The Indian Navy will be the
July 2009
Warships Forecast Page 7
Agosta-90B
first in the world to use submarine versions of both the transferring the ship to another navy. By early May,
U.S. and the French weapons side by side. these reports had become refined to a Letter of
Agreement between Malaysia and France for the
First AIP System Shipped construction of two Scorpene class submarines and the
The first production module of the MESMA system was loan of a single Agosta-70 class boat.
shipped to Karachi in 2000. It was installed on the last
Al-Qaeda Attacks
boat of the series following 12 months of land-based
testing at DCN Indret in France. However, the Pakistani construction of the two remaining Agosta
completion of the last boat in the Pakistani Agosta-90B class submarines was delayed by about six months when
class was slipped to 2008, suggesting that the MESMA 11 members of a DCN technical team were killed and
program may have suffered some minor delays. another 12 injured by a suicide car bombing in Karachi
on May 8, 2002. Talking to reporters after meeting the
In June 2001, it was reported that the Malaysian Navy
12 injured French citizens and visiting the scene of the
was negotiating with DCN International for the supply
massive blast, newly appointed French Defense
of two ex-French Navy Agosta class submarines
Minister Michele Alliot-Marie dismissed concerns the
(probably the now-decommissioned FNS La Praya and
attack would damage bilateral relations between France
FNS Ouessant) and the subsequent construction of two
and Pakistan and added that "the current agreements
to four Agosta-90B class submarines over the next five
will be pursued," referring to the cooperation pact for
years. Malaysian Navy Chief Admiral Abu Bakar
the construction of the three Agosta-90s. All of DCN's
Jamal has stated that the procurement of a submarine
French staff were pulled out of Pakistan after the 9/11
flotilla for the Malaysian Navy was its highest priority.
attacks on the United States, but some had returned to
DCN International was competing with RDM's Moray
assess the security situation. Despite the delays caused
class for the contract.
by this attack, the second of the Pakistani Agosta-90B
In April 2002, there were authoritative but unconfirmed class submarines was delivered in January 2003 and
reports that the Malaysian government had selected the commissioned on December 12 of that year.
Scorpene as its new submarine class, and that a single
The third submarine of this class, the Hamza,
Agosta would be transferred from the French Navy to
incorporates improvements based on the experience
act as a training ship. Reports differed on whether the
gained by the initial two submarines of the same class
Agosta class submarine in question was the La Praya or
and new advances in endurance, acoustic discretion,
the Ouessant, but the latter is currently the systems trial
propulsion, and diving capability. The Hamza was
submarine for the Barracuda project, and it seems
launched in August 2006 and was finally commissioned
unlikely that the SSN program would be disrupted by
in September 2008.
Related News
Pakistan Selects Type 214 – Pakistan is purchasing three German-designed Type 214 diesel-electric
submarines. The submarines were designed by German shipbuilder Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) and
will be built at a Karachi shipyard. This deal, for which a contract is expected to be signed soon, is worth more than
$1 billion. These submarines will be armed with European-built heavyweight torpedoes. Primary options appear to
be the DM2A4 and Black Shark. (Seawaves, 4/08)
Market Intelligence Service Subscribers: For additional news, go to the on-line E-Market Alert page located in the Intelligence Center at
www.forecastinternational.com and click on the links to the products you subscribe to.
Funding
The program has been funded by the Pakistani defense forces through the Pakistan Navy.
Contracts/Orders & Options
Award
Sponsor ($ millions) Date/Description
©2009 July 2009
Page 8 Warships Forecast
Agosta-90B
Award
Sponsor ($ millions) Date/Description
Pakistan Navy 950 Sep 21, 1994 – Order for a batch of three.
Pakistan Navy 80 Sep 2005 – Order for DM2A4 torpedoes.
Timetable
Month Year Major Development
Sep 1992 Provisional order for a batch of three submarines
Sep 1994 Order confirmed
Mar 1995 Pressure hull construction begun for first-of-class
Jan 1996 First hull section completed
1997 First-of-class laid down
Sep 1997 Fabrication and welding of a full-scale test section completed
May 1998 Three hull sections for second boat delivered to Pakistan
Aug 1998 First-of-class launched, harbor trials begin; second boat laid down "again"
Sep 1998 Parts for third hull sent to Pakistan
4Q 1998 Sea trials for first-of-class begin
1999 Third boat laid down
Dec 1999 First-of-class arrives in Pakistan after delayed departure from France
2000 Plans made to install AIP MESMA propulsion system on third hull
2001 Second boat launched
Dec 2003 Second boat commissioned
Aug 2006 Third ship launched
Sep 2008 Last of class commissioned
Worldwide Distribution/Inventories
France Four older Agosta-70s now decommissioned
Pakistan Three Agosta-90Bs, two Agosta-70s in service
Spain Four Agosta-70s in service
Forecast Rationale
The news that PNS Hamza, the last of the three independent propulsion system on the first two
Agosta-90B submarines ordered by Pakistan has finally submarines of the class.
been commissioned means that construction of the class
With the slight chance that the Pakistan Navy would opt
has now ended. The prospect of any additional
for a repeat Agosta-90B now eliminated and with the
construction was terminated when Pakistan ordered the
Agosta 90 no longer being promoted in any current or
German-designed Type 214 class submarines as its next
future competitions, it is apparent that no further
submarine design. Henceforth, the only activity in this
submarines of this class will be built. This report,
class will be the installation of the MESMA air
therefore, will be archived next year.
Ten-Year Outlook
Due to the completion of all outstanding orders, no forecast is provided at this time.
* * *
July 2009
