The contract signing ceremony for the second submarine under the Pakistan Navy’s Agosta 90B Class Submarine Modernization Project was held at the premises of Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense Production, with the attendance of representatives from Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense Production and the Pakistan Navy.

The contract was signed by General Arshad Mahmood of Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense Production; Mr. Davut Yılmaz, General Manager of STM; and Mr. Savaş Onur, Naval Projects Director at STM.

The newly signed contract introduced activities for the modernization of a second submarine into the Agosta 90B Class Submarine Modernization Project. While all the systems specified in the main contract will similarly be used in the configuration of the second submarine, additional systems have also been included into the submarine configuration, which will all be reflected in the project’s first submarine as well. Furthermore, with this latest contractual amendment, a third submarine as well as various additional systems have been introduced into the project as options.

As part of the modernization project of the Agosta 90B class submarines, STM was – until the very last moment – engaged in a long and challenging competitive process against the French Shipyard DCNS, which is the original designer and producer of the submarines. In the conclusion of the bidding process, STM’s offer was found to be commercially and technically superior, and the company was consequently selected as the prime contractor by Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense Production.

Under the project, modernization activities will be performed at a Karachi-based shipyard of the Pakistan Navy; the first submarine will be delivered in 2020, while the other submarines are expected to have their modernizations completed with intervals of one year between them.

The project represents the first time a Turkish company has been selected as the prime contractor for a submarine project conducted overseas. Under 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 for different units of the Pakistan Navy.

The modernization activities 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 parties involved.