Agosta 90B

Agosta-class diesel-electric attack submarines (SSK) were developed by French shipyards DCN to operate in the littoral environment. Originally, the French Navy procured four boats and Bazan, now Avantia, built another four for the Spanish Navy. France also built two submarines for South Africa but finally they were sold to Pakistan. In the 1990s the French Navy withdrawn from service its four-Agosta in favor of nuclear-powered submarines. Despite being designed for the littoral environment Agosta is able to conduct open ocean mission engaging surface ships at long range using Exocet SM-39 cruise missile. Agosta are equipped with four 533mm torpedo tubes and carries as many as 20 weapons including F17 torpedoes and SM-39 anti-ship missiles. Agosta 90B is an improved variant of Agosta conventionally-powered attack submarine developed specifically to meet Pakistan's requirements. Agosta 90B features MESMA Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system which enhances its combat capabilities. Fitted with the optional MESMA propulsion system the hull's length is 76 meters and without it 67 meters. The submarine's crew varies from 36 to 41 men. The Agosta 90B development contract between France and Pakistan was signed in 1994 and the first boat built by DCN (PNS/M Khalid) at Cherbourg was delivered to the Pakistani Navy in 1999. The other two submarines (PNS/M Saad and PNS/M Hamza) were slated to be built in Pakistan with the submarine components coming from DCN Cherbourg and assembled in Karachi. PNS/M Saad was delivered to the Pakistani Navy in 2003. The launching ceremony for the third and final boat occurred in August 2006. The PNS/M Hamza was the only built with the MESMA AIP system with the other two ships ordered by Pakistan to receive MESMA in the near future.

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