Construction Of Submarine To Enter Pakistan Navy With New Era

Submarine Construction Incharge Karachi, Commodore Hussan Nasir Shah said that Pakistan navy has entered in new era of construction of submarine and ship building after construction of Agosta-90-B Class submarine PNS Hamza. Speaking in a PTV programme, he said Pakistan navy has capability to operate, maintain and upgrade submarine for last 30 years which is sufficient to construct submarine. He said it was the government policy to be self-reliant and indigenizations in construction of submarine to maintain minimum deterrence in the region. The first submarine, Agosta 90-B (Khalid), manufactured with French assistance was commissioned in the Pakistan Navy in 1999 while the second submarine, Agosta 90-B (Saad) was commissioned in 2004.PNS SaadAgostas have been fitted with the most modern command and control system and weapons. These submarines are capable of launching anti-ship missiles and various type of torpedoes. To a question he said PNS Hamza has the capability to stay under water more than the previous made submarines. To another question he said the country can construct two submarines every year from available infrastructure. He said Pakistan Navy is trying to improve existing infrastructure so that it can produce one submarine yearly to meet domestic defence requirements. To a question he said total strength of submarines construction department is 1000. He added that 300 personnel were trained when submarine (khalid) was constructed in France. They have trained about 600 personnel in the country under skilled development programme he added. Appreciating their services, he said staff of submarine construction department is playing key role in construction of submarines.