STM to upgrade Pakistan Navy’s second Agosta 90B-class submarine

Turkish defence contractor STM Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret has signed a new contract to carry out the Pakistan Navy’s Agosta 90B-class submarine modernisation project.

The contract has been awarded by Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence Production and will see STM upgrade the navy’s second Agosta 90B-class submarine.

It also includes options for the upgrade of the third and final submarine of the Agosta 90B fleet, along with the delivery of a wide range of additional systems.

The overhaul work on the second ship is expected to be completed in 2021 and will be carried out at the Pakistan Navy’s Karachi-based shipyard.

The modernisation project is currently in its critical design phase.

It is set to involve the replacement of the vessel’s entire range of sonar systems, as well as its periscope, command and control system, and radar and electronic support systems.

STM will be responsible for carrying out design, engineering and procurement activities for the upgrade programme under the arrangement, in addition to providing integrated logistic support and training services to the different units of the Pakistan Navy.

The company will also be required to carry out enhancement works on the submarine’s pressure hull by conducting system-to-system and platform-to-system integrations for various pieces of equipment, which are to be provided by both domestic and foreign companies.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence Production previously selected STM as the prime contractor for the upgrade of the first Agosta 90B-class submarine in 2016.

The company was selected over French company Naval Group, which was the original designer and builder of the Pakistan Navy submarines.

The first vessel of the class is expected to be upgraded and delivered to the navy in 2020.

STM is claimed to be the first Turkish company to have been selected as the prime contractor for a submarine overhaul project being conducted overseas.