Status of small submarines in Pakistan Navy

[ghazi52]

Previously PN had small submarines known as midget by Italy. I think Naval Dockyard also made them.

They are retired. One is mounted at Submarine Chowk, Gizri in Karachi. Those old submarines have been replaced with far bigger called - X-Craft. It has good sonar and underwater performance.

Pakistan Navy lost an X-Craft in the 90s and was sunk. But it was salvaged and repaired completely, making Pakistan navy only the 4th Navy in the world to salvage a submarine and bring it back to life.

How many are in use. can someone clarify....
Recently Indian Navy is trying to procure small submarines.

 

[amunhotep]

small submarines are used for special operations & littoral warfare

the best in this class is the SMX-23/24 andrata

also noteworthy is the s-800/1000 of italy

but i don't think that pakistan needs small submarines because there is no better platform for special operations than the U-214

 

[jamal18]

small submarines are used for special operations & littoral warfare

the best in this class is the SMX-23/24 andrata

also noteworthy is the s-800/1000 of italy

but i don't think that pakistan needs small submarines because there is no better platform for special operations than the U-214

These are too expensive to risk close to an enemy's coast. Midget submarines are designed almost solely for the job, and are more expendable.

 

[lindsyebanks]

These are too expensive to risk close to an enemy's coast. Midget submarines are designed almost solely for the job, and are more expendable.

PN midget submarines were acquired for the specific purpose of use by SSGN. Their procurement was not influenced by their being supposedly expandable. the subject of midget submarines in PN service has benn brought up in the below thread. [url]http://www.defence.pk/forums/naval-forces/18074-pn-mini-submarine-fleet-2.html[/url]

The SX-756 submarines were the first of a new design by Cosmos of Livorno. The first 3 craft were sold to Pakistan in kit form and arrived in Karachi in 1988. When the deal for the submarines was signed, it was no coincidence that Adm Tariq Kamal Khan was CNS. As a former SSGN and first CO of PNS Iqbal following its commission on 29 March 1967, he understood full well the potential of SOF and unconventional warfare. Cosmos marketed the submarine as the MG-110 along with another variant known as the MG-120ER. The latter is known to be in service with Italy, South Korea and Columbia. The SDV's delivered to PN in the 1970's are no longer in use and were withdrawn from service in the late 90's. Some of thse SDV's now serve as reminders of a past era for SSGN as part of a display at the Maritime museum in Karachi.

SX-756 are equipped to carry torpedoes, mines and/or combat divers. They have been modernised during the late 90's to help keep them in service. One of the X-craft was lost at sea in 1995. However there were no fatalities and the Midget was recovered, repaired and subsequently returned to service

PN deployed its 6 SX-404 midgets against India in 1971. One of them even fired upon an Indain naval FFG, but the torpedo firing system malfunctioned and remained lodged in its external launcher, thereby denying PN what might have been a double hit in concert with PNS/M Hangor's sinking of INS Kukri.

In 1978, an unfortunate accident resulted in the loss of an SX-404 at sea with all hands. Despite SAR ops, niether the midget nor any bodies were ever recovered. The sole PN SX-404 hull known to have survived the breakers yard/target practise is on display at the PN Maritime Museum and an earlier version of the SX-404 is still reported to be in service with the Columbian Navy. However it is doubtful that this would have been done without significant modification or as is likely a fabriaction of a new hull based on the old design.

Cosmos was bought out by Cardoen Industries in the mid 90's. However owing to the latters connections with the then Iraqi government, the Italian government shut Cosmos down, putting it out of business.

 

[niaz]

For a small coast line like ours; sea lanes along 100 miles of the coast line can be monitored by the Orion and defended thru and based missile carrying aircraft. Credible offence would come from the underwater forces. Hence Pakistan purchased 6 midget submarines from Italy in addition to Daphne & Augusta class submarines. However midget submarines were for SSGN and not suitable for ambushing naval vessels that a hunter killer SSK can do.

Even though any naval ship, be it a midget submarine, gun boat, corvette etc. is an addition to the defence capabilities; in my humble opinion; Pakistan Navy should focus on strengthening the submarine force instead of buying additional frigates or midget submarines. However, the ground realities dictate that Pak Navy will remain essentially a ‘Brown water’ navy for the foreseeable future.

 

[fatman17]

3 midget submarines, MG110 are in the Naval inventory as of 2010.


MG 110 Midget Submarine

These submarines were built in Pakistan under the supervision of the Italian company Cosmos. They are built to an enlarged SX 756 design and have replaced the older SX 404 design submarines, which have now been retired.

These submarines can transport up to eight swimmers on raiding or reconnaissance missions, or perform other tasks in shallow waters such as mining. Armament consists of two torpedo tubes that can be loaded with SUT type torpedoes, up to eight limpet type mines can be carried in place of the torpedoes, or a pair of two-man underwater swimmer chariots.

Sensors only include a pair of Pilkingtom CK 39 periscopes.

These subs are believed to have an endurance of 20 days.

Three of these submarines were purchased in 1988. One was lost in 1995, but has been replaced. All are active.

Builder
COSMOS Shipbuilders, Livorno
Characteristics
Displacement: 118 tons submerged
Dimensions:
length 91 ft 2 in (16.0 m)
beam 6 ft 7 in ( 2.0 m)
Propulsion: diesel-electric; 1 shaft
Performance:
speed 7 kts submerged
range 1,200 nm
60 nm at 7 kts submerged
Manning: 6 + 8 swimmers
Combat Systems:
torpedo tubes 2 21-in (533-mm) torpedo tubes for AEG SUT wire guided
torpedoes [2]
mines 8 Mk 414 Limpet type in place of torpedoes

 

[fatman17]

PN MG-110

 

[HariPrasad]

Previously PN had small submarines known as midget by Italy. I think Naval Dockyard also made them.

They are retired. One is mounted at Submarine Chowk, Gizri in Karachi. Those old submarines have been replaced with far bigger called - X-Craft. It has good sonar and underwater performance.

Pakistan Navy lost an X-Craft in the 90s and was sunk. But it was salvaged and repaired completely, making Pakistan navy only the 4th Navy in the world to salvage a submarine and bring it back to life.

How many are in use. can someone clarify....
Recently Indian Navy is trying to procure small submarines.

Small submarines can be deadly some time.