ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — Turkey and Pakistan continue to strengthen their military-technical cooperation. Apart from land and air weapons systems, the two countries also cooperate in naval development.
The Turkish company STM handed over to the Pakistan Navy the second modernized conventional submarine of the Agosta 90B project – PNS Khalid [S-137]. This is Turkey’s first export foreign submarine modernization project.
As part of the modernization, sonars, periscopes, command and control systems, data distribution systems, transducers, control systems, water cooling systems, and radar and electronic support systems were replaced.
The new equipment for the units was supplied by local companies, including Aselsan and Havelsan. In turn, the hull modifications carried out during the modernization, as well as the new components and the work carried out, were certified by Dat Norske Veritas.
The contract for the modernization of three French Agosta 90B ships used by Pakistan was concluded in 2017. Their purpose is to extend the service of these ships, which were ordered back in 1994. However, the last of the ships was accepted into service in the Pakistan Navy only 14 years later.
The first ship modernized by the Turks – PNS Hamza [S-139] – was handed over to the user in 2021. The unit was able to take part, among others, in the Seaspark 2022 exercise, during which it participated in the sinking of a decommissioned frigate by firing a torpedo .
At the end of 2022, Pakistan began the construction of its sixth Hangor-class submarine. This is a diesel-electric submarine. A total of eight submarines will be acquired by the Pakistan Navy. Four will be built by China, the original manufacturer of this class, and the remaining four by Pakistan.
January 2023
Source: Bulgaria Military.com
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