Pakistan navy to induct Agosta submarine

The paper quoted maritime experts to claim the submarine would give Pakistan navy quot;a clear edge over Indiaquot; as Agosta is quot;a faster and deeper diving vessel which would strengthen the country8217;s sub-surface force 8211; the lynch pin of forward defence at seaquot;.

Manufactured at French Cherbourg submarine shipbuilding yard, it has a maximum speed of 40 knots and can dive up to 300 metres and has the capability to fire missiles while submerged, a capability which the Indian navy is yet to acquire, it said.

The submarine, whichreached Pakistani waters on December 16 and has been christened as PNS-Khalid8217;, is armed with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including the air independent propulsion system and Sole-launched Exocet missile, the daily said.

The delivery of the submarine was part of a 1.2 billion dollar deal Islamabad had signed with Paris few years ago for the purchase of three such submarines as well as transfer of technology for manufacturing similar submarines in Pakistan.

Its delivery was delayed by several months as France refused to hand over the submarine criticising Pakistan for flaring up relations with India by sending infiltrators to Kargil. The second Agosta submarine is being manufactured at the Karachi port.