To tell you the truth Asaad, nothing in SSK procurement terms is ever "dropped" per se, rather it remains in the "grey zone" until you fork up enough cash and/or poltical leverage to pull it back into the "green zone". The most probable reason the U214 deal is in the dumps is because of Israeli/Indian pressure and the upcoming Indian SSK deal that the 214 should have bagged back in 2005 if not for a man named George Fernandes who also happened to be Indian Minister for Defence.
well, that's good to hear. if we can get our hands on that thing, it'll have additional benefits in the long term besides just getting a sub. I think it will definitely put us as the most favoured customer of France.
Nobody knows. I don't although we're trying very hard to find out as this is a PACRIM navy on the verge of procuring a Tier 3 design. As well as the Israelis, Indians, Chinese, Malaysians, Americans and everyone else. As P2BP has pointed out, it appears that "most" of the sensor, propulsion, sonar and all of the weapons fit bar SCALP EG on the Barracuda will be incorporated into the Marlin. My guess is that the Marlin will be similar (same sensor fit w/ 'slight downgrade', 7+ blade propeller instead of pumpjets, same weapons) The French also have a very funny habit of creating SSK versions of their SSNs retaining most of their structural fit/electronics and a virtually identical exterior profile with only cosmetic changes to the placement of the foreplanes on the sail which is why I have referred to the Scorpene as a "mini Rubis" and Marlin as a "mini Barracuda". Just pull up visuals of these boats and you'll see what I mean. It looks like the PN is looking to getting 2-4 "mini Barracudas".
well, I think you mentioned something earlier about DCN "delaying" a certain technology transfer to india, maybe in hopes of wooing Pakistan. I'm hoping that the Scorpene isn't the best of the best, but I've heard from Indian sources, that their Scorpene will be able to dive deeper than others.
I still think the french will give much more in marlin, since it's their own complete project. not like the scorpene, where they were partnered with Spain.
Maybe. There are two main theories floating around. No.1 is merely that the PN intended to go French all along and that the U214 media racket was to give the GoP some negotiating power at the bargaining table. No.2 is that the U214 represented a clear capability overmatch against the Marlin in 2005-06(which at that time was still on the drawing table and specs/performance were largely unknown). I personally think a marriage of 1 and 2.
well, that's why we should get the Marlin! it's still on the drawing board, nothings concrete just like the barracuda itself. perhaps the french can use the U214 as a measuring stick. The Marlin will go to the next level, in SSK design. just like you said, it'll be almost a copy of the barracuda, except miniaturised.
Now I won't discuss the relative capabilities of the Agosta90B and the Scorpene given the last time that happened P2BP and I got into a fight but it is clear that while the former are lumped by industry into one category while the U214 and evo-Scorpene designs are in the following, more advanced category. (Don't ask me about design generations, too confusing).
i'm not going to ask you what the evo-Scorpene is, but I will ask you, does india have it?
I think its funny how you always speak of the Chinese as "fair weather" friends when it should be the French. But then most of what France has done for you can never be made public.
well, i wasn't really the one on this forum who would publicise something like that. From the start the French have been very reliable, although they have sold a lot of stuff to our rivals. still, in subs, I think they were planning from the beginning to give a "far-more superior" submarine to Pakistan, compared to the Scorpene. I think the French planned to sell the scorpene to india, in hopes of selling the Marlin to Pakistan. this would get their Marlin project out of the drawing board and into production. I'm also certain the french will give a lot of goodies with the Marlin.
of course the chinese have helped us to whatever extent they could. we were the first ones to be offered the J-10, F-22P on ToT, etc. There's a lot of cooperation in space technology going on between us. they have transferred some missile technology. of course we didn't use their bomb designs, but they still offered.
however, i don't think our military planners are totally relying on the chinese for everything. no one's going to help you build a SSN, ICBM, or whatever. we have our own engineers and specialist to work on these things now.
