- KARACHI - Pakistan Navy launched
the second Agosta 90-B, which is the country's first home-produced submarine,
at an impressive ceremony at the PN Dockyard here on Saturday.
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- "The country has now joined the elite club of a
very few countries, having the ability to make submarines," said Chief
of Naval Staff Admiral Abdul Aziz Mirza, who was the chief guest on the
occasion. "It is a big achievement and a contribution towards the
indigenisation and self-reliance of the country," he added.
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- Agosta 90-B is Pakistan's first-ever indigenously-built,
conventional submarine, named PNS-S Saad. Admiral Mirza said that the third
Agosta 90-B submarine would be launched towards the end of 2003 after which
the strength of Pakistan Navy submarines would be nine. He expressed the
confidence that successful completion of this project would further enhance
indigenous capability of the Pakistan Navy.
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- He said that Pakistan had signed a contract with France's
DCN International in September 1994 for construction of first Agosta 90-B
submarine in France. As per the contract, the second and third ones were
to be completed in Pakistan through extensive transfer of technology, he
added.
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- The first Agosta 90-B submarine, constructed in France
was delivered to Pakistan Navy in September 1999. It forms part of Pakistan
Navy fleet as PNS-M Khalid.
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- The naval chief congratulated the DCN International of
France for assisting Pakistan Navy in the construction of Agosta 90-B at
PN Dockyard Karachi and said: "It symbolises the strong bond of friendship
and proven relationship between France and Pakistan. Pakistan Navy is grateful
to the French for all efforts they have put in towards making this event
a reality."
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- Speaking of the "sacrifice" of those French
technicians who were killed and wounded on May 8, 2002 in an attack in
Karachi, he said though the incident could have inflicted irrevocable damage,
the project remained on track, thanks to the excellent cooperation between
France and Pakistan.
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- "This is a message to those, who committed cowardly
act of terrorism, that such incidents will not deter or dissuade the two
countries from achieving their common objectives," he said. "I
am confident that this cooperation between us will continue to grow further,"
he added.
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- As acknowledgement of the sacrifices of the French technicians,
the section building hall of PN Dockyard would be named as Cherbourg Hall,
he said.
-
- Later talking to newsmen, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral
Abdul Aziz Mirza said: "With the induction of the modern-day Agosta
90-B submarines into the naval fleet, Pakistan Navy now has edge over the
India navy."
-
- "Agosta 90-B submarines are equipped with SM39 missiles
and torpedoes," he informed. To a question, the naval chief said that
India could resort to naval blockade of Karachi. To another question, he
said that there had been no deployment of Indian naval ships outside territorial
limits of Pakistan in past few months. He said that an Indian ship was
present outside 200 nautical miles limit, but when it was warned that the
planes of Pakistan Navy's Aviation Wing were equipped with missiles, it
returned.
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- He said after acquiring the highly-sophisticated technology
and capability to undertake construction of Agosta 90-B indigenously at
PN Dockyard Karachi, the Pakistan Navy would ask the government to continue
this programme as "it is in the larger national interest and will
help in replacing old submarines in the naval fleet."
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- On the occasion, he informed: "Pakistan and China
are expected to sign a contract shortly for the construction of four surface
naval ships F22-Babr of 2,500 tonnes." The first ship would be constructed
in China and the remaining three at Karachi's Naval Dockyard, he said.
He said that the government had approved "this priority project",
under which Chinese technology would also be transferred to Pakistan.
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- Earlier, in his welcome address, Commander Logistics
Rear Admiral Mushtaq Ahmed said: "Today's milestone has been achieved
after four long years of hard work and dedicated efforts by a team of officers,
supervisors and workmen of PN Dockyard." He paid special thanks to
the DCN International of France for its valuable and continuous support
towards the achievement of this goal.
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- Later, "Dua-i-Khair" was offered and the national
anthem was played. Begum HH Ahmed, wife of a former naval chief, pressed
a button to lower the submarine into the water. The ceremony was also attended
by Chairman DCN (Log) Yves Couchet, Director DCN Laurent Barthelemy Cherbourg
and Director Submarine Project Alain Yvetot.
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- http://jang.com.pk/thenews/aug2002-daily/25-08-2002/main/main2.htm
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