Submarine Proliferation

Pakistan Export Behavior

Capabilities | Import | Export

Naval Dockyard Karachi

Construction of Agosta
submarines in Pakistan
Source: Pakistani Navy Website, www.paknavy.gov.pk/
ship%20const/90-B/90B.htm

The shipyard constructs the following vessel:

Khalid-class (Agosta 90B): diesel-electric submarines designed and produced for the Pakistani Navy

The extent of technology transfer Pakistan received from France's DCN has been extensive. The Pakistani Navy dockyard in Karachi has been significantly modernized, first to assemble and later to undertake the complete construction of submarines with sensitive parts supplied by France. In line with earlier efforts at promoting greater self-reliance, Pakistan has laid the foundation for an indigenous submarine-building capacity.[1,2,3]

Realizing the potential revenue from submarine sales and the need for such profits to maintain its submarine construction capability, Pakistan's deal with France included an export license agreement. The country is thus in a position to sell its vessels in some regional markets, including the Middle East and Southeast Asia, with France's approval.[3,4,5,6] Pursuing its goal of becoming an arms exporter, Pakistan established the Defense Export Promotion Organization in early 2000 and organized its first international defense exhibition in the same year.[1,6]

During the aforementioned exhibition, the sale of two Pakistani Khalid-class submarines to Malaysia was proclaimed, yet the deal did not materialize.[7] Instead, Malaysia opted for France's Scorpène design.[6,8] Pakistan's chances of obtaining submarine contracts are not clear, given that its only model is an aging, albeit modernized, French design, with sensitive technologies that must be procured from France.[9] It thus remains to be seen whether Pakistan's accelerated research and development efforts to increase self-reliance will bear fruit soon enough to allow for it to become a viable exporter.

Nevertheless, Pakistan continues to promote its export potential. Most recently, Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Shahid Karimullah stated that the navies of United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Nigeria have shown interest in Pakistani-built submarines. Saudi Arabia and Malaysia have also been mentioned. However, as of August 2005 there have been no published reports of exports.

Sources:
[1] Interview with Admiral Fasih Bokhari, Chief of Naval Staff, "The importance of the Pakistani Navy for its country's security," Naval Forces, 1999, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 22-25; in ProQuest Information and Learning Company, http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb.
[2] Richard Scott, "Agosta 90B surfaces for the Pakistani Navy," Jane's Navy International, May 1, 1999, Vol. 104, No. 4.
[3] Kaleem Omar, "Arms export drive begins to bear fruit," The News, February 12, 2001, p. 13; in "Pakistan to Sign Big Arms Export Deals With Several Countries," FBIS Document SAP20010213000040.
[4] Jacques Isnard, "A Navy to a large extent under France's wing," Le Monde online edition, http://www.lemonde.fr, May 9, 2002; in "Report details close links between France and Pakistani Navy," FBIS Document EUP20020509000030.
[5] Nasir Jaffry, "2nd Agosta to be ready for trial soon," The Statesman, February 16, 2002; in "Pakistan Navy to test 2nd Agosta submarine soon," FBIS Document SAP20020216000079.
[6] The News online edition, http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews, November 17, 2000; in "Pakistan's Naval Chief Speaks on Agosta Submarine Project," FBIS Document SAP20001117000028.
[7] Jang, November 18, 2000; in "Saudi Arabia, Malaysia Interested in Buying Aircraft, Submarines from Pakistan," FBIS Document SAP20001118000027.
[8] "The real Saudi-Pakistani pact," Intelligence Online Website, http://www.intelligenceonline.com, October 31, 2003; in "French website notes Saudi-Arabian and Pakistani military cooperation," FBIS Document EUP20031031000355.
[9] Lieutenant Colonel Ghulam Jillani, "The sale of Agosta Class 90-B submarine," Pakistan, March 26, 2001; in "Pakistan Columnist Discusses Agosta Submarine Technology, Western Arms Dealers," FBIS Document SAP20010330000048.

This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2007 by MIIS.