S 131 HANGOR class

DESCRIPTION

These small attack submarines were built in France specifically for sale to Pakistan, except the Ghazi, which was purchased from Portugal in 1975.

The submarines have a double-hull design with a flat outer hull casing, except for the sonar dome bulge at the bow. They are powered by two SEMT-Pielstick 12PA4-135 diesels. The submarines have been fitted with the Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missile, which is fired from torpedo tubes. The rear firing tubes are externally loaded and cannot be accessed from inside the boat.

STATUS

All 4 submarines are in active service. The Ghazi replaced the ex-US Tench (SS 417)-class submarine (DIABOLO/ SS 479) of the same name that was sunk while attempting to torpedo the Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. These submarines were the only units of the Pakistani Fleet to offer substantial resistance to the Indian Navy in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. On 9 December 1971 the Hangor torpedoed and sank the Indian frigate Khukri off the coast of West Pakistan.

These submarines are to be replaced by Agosta 90B class of submarines currently under construction in France and Pakistan.

BUILDER(S)

Hangor - Arsenal de Brest
Shushuk, Mangro - C.N. Ciotat, Le Trait
Ghazi - Dubigeon, Normandy (Nates)

DAPHNE'S COMBAT SYSTEMS

• 12 torpedo tubes 21.7 in (550 mm) 8 bow + 4 stern
• heavyweight torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
• 12 L5 ASW torpedoes
• SGM-84 Harpoon SSM launched from torpedo tubes.
• Stonefish Mines
• 1 DRUA 31 surface search radar
• 1 DUUA 1 hull-mounted active/passive sonar
• 1 DSUV 1 hull-mounted passive medium frequency sonar
• 1 ARUR, 1 ARUD sonar intercept EW