The third Agosta 90 B submarine has almost been completely built at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard here and would be launched next month. This was stated by Commodore Shahid Saeed, General Manager Submarine Construction, at the PN Dockyard here on Monday.
Briefing journalists at the PN Dockyard, he said that this submarine has been named as 'Hamza'. Commodore Shahid pointed out that Pakistan is the first country to use MESA AIP system onboard a combat ready submarine. It is the most advanced version of Agosta design. It is 76 meter long and weighs around 2,000 tonnes. Its range is 10,000 nautical miles and can remain at sea for continuously 60 days. It is equipped with state of the art combat system-Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System (SUBTICS) and is capable of firing SM-39 Exocet Missile and wire guided torpedoes.
Commodore Shahid said that after launching, the submarine will undergo about 1,000 constructor and 200 acceptance trials an harbour and at sea. The submarine will be handed over to the PN Fleet as a fully operational unit after completion of all trials by June 2007.