he Scorpenes are similar to the Agosta 90B subs (also French) that Pakistan recently bought. The first of the Agostas was built in France, but the other two were built in Pakistan. The Scorpene purchase was seen as a response to the Pakistani Agostas. The Scorpene are a more recent design, the result of cooperation between French and Spanish sub builders. The Agosta is a 1,500 ton (surface displacement) diesel-electric sub with a 36 man crew and four 533mm (21 inch) torpedo tubes (with 20 torpedoes and/or anti-ship missiles carried). The Scorpene is a little heavier (1,700 tons), has a smaller crew (32) and is a little faster. It has six 533mm torpedo tubes, and carries 18 torpedoes and/or missiles. Both models can be equipped with an AIP (air independent propulsion) system. This enables the sub to stay under longer, thus making the sub harder to find. AIP allows the sub to travel under water for more than a week, at low speed (5-10 kilometres an hour). The Pakistanis have an option to retrofit AIP in their current two Agostas.
Its quite easy to smell an article written from across the border
So the author is comparing Scorpene class , whose first Sub actually entered service in 2009 , with Augusta 90B , a design which was considered old even in 1990s , and which was Purchased by PN only Becoz Zardari Received his 10% Commission
While India was largely concerned with the Pakistani Navy when the Scorpene contract was negotiated and signed, China is now seen as the primary adversary. The Chinese subs are not as effective as the Pakistani boats, both because of less advanced technology, and less well trained crews.
Now this is utter Bullshit , If chinese subs were inferior then why was PAK Navy begging the govt to purchase them , I know that one of the reasons was that unlike the french , the chinese will not give any commission to Zardari , the other reasons must be value for money and there decent quality .
And How can the Author say that chinese Submariners are less trained than pak , i mean what the hell , PLAN has 60 subs as against Pak which has only 5 , Even USN is vary of china near chinese waters , to say that PN is better trained is well funny
And Finally i would like to conclude by saying that How the hell does the author says that India will retire 9 of its 14 current Subs in just 3 Yrs , coz as far as i know , Submarines have a life of 30 yrs , not 22-25 yrs as the author is claiming , while he conveniently forgets that Pakistan is upgrading its 33 yr old Augusta 70 subs so that they can serve till 2020 , add to that PLAN currently operate 20 Subs over 25 yrs old