Choosing French Submarine over German? Rational decision or risking Pakistani defence ?

by Farzana Shah
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.



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 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 System
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
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
Mission Sprint Speed
15kt to 20kt
Maximum Dive Depth
400m+

(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
Over 20 kt
Range (at 8kt)
6,400nm
Endurance
50 days

Weapon Systems:
Torpedoes / Missiles
Six 21in torpedo tubes for 18 torpedoes / missiles


Comparison
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.

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.
- Asian Tribune -