As part of the modernisation project of the Pakistan Navy Agosta 90B class submarines, the Turkish defence contractor Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik A.Åž. (STM) is planning to initiate sea trials PNS/M Hamza submarine in early 2020. The second upgraded submarine, PNS/M Khalid, is scheduled to follow in 2021. Pakistan Navy hasn’t yet signed the contract for the upgrade of the third submarine, though the company expects it will conclude to a deal in this regard soon.
In 2016, Defense Technologies Engineering and Trade (STM) won the modernization tender in a competition with a $350 million contract against a French company DCNS Shipyard (Naval Group) that builds submarines.The project represents the first time a Turkish company has been selected as the prime contractor for a submarine modernisation project conducted overseas. In the scope of the Project, STM will be exporting its design and engineering services for the very first time.
In addition to the design, engineering and procurement activities to be carried out as part of the project, STM will also provide integrated logistic support and training services to different units of the Pakistan Navy. The modernisation works will include the replacement of the submarine’s entire sonar suite, periscope systems, command and control system, radar and electronic support systems. HAVELSAN- and ASELSAN-made systems will also be exported as part of the project.
Under the project, STM will make modifications on the pressure hull, the most critical structure in a submarine, by carrying out system-to-system and platform-to-system integrations for various systems, to be provided by local and foreign companies. The project, which is now in its critical design phase, is successfully moving forward with the significant contributions of Pakistan Navy’s personnel and agencies, and in close cooperation between all the parties involved.
