100 Years of French Submarines

Columnist Col (Retd) EAS BOKHARI discusses the history of submarine-making by France.

I am a somewhat larger and taller man. Sometime back I had an opportunity of boarding an older Agosta Class submarine and I felt that the bane in submarine is the space constraints - and how best the systems are integrated. The French firm DCN (Des Constructions Et Arms Navales) seems to have been able to generate the expertise to integrate the four major parameters of submarine construction i.e. acoustic stealth, (to avoid sonar detection), hydrodynamics, propulsion - and system integration to its optimum efficiency.

The DCN International is in the business of submarine fabrication since 1899 - when France launched the ‘NARVAL’ (a sort of a rag tag submarine) - and which is the predecessor of the modern day submarine. It has been a long journey - and it has witnessed a large number of innovations. DCN is the prime supplier of submarines to a number of friendly countries including Pakistan - and according to Mr Dominique Castellan - Chief Executive Officer DCN International “In August (99) - Pakistan took delivery of the first of three new Agosta 90-B submarines. Meanwhile, work is proceeding on schedule on the construction of the first of two ‘Scorpene’ submarines for Chile.”

DCN dabbles in a variety of other ship building - and related activities - but I will confine this presentation to submarines only.

Coming back to the ‘NARVAL’ -  the contraption was designed by French engineer Maxime Laubeuf - and was completed in October 1899 - and is claimed to be the first successful submarine in the world. “Her double hull with ballast tanks between them made her the indisputable predecessor of the modern - day types.... The countless innovations introduced over the last 100 years have resulted in more sophisticated designs offering constantly improving naval qualities....”

Perhaps the major improvements in the submarine fabrication has been in the improvements in propulsion and power generation. The ‘Narval’ - primitive as it were - it was powered by an oil fired steam engine on the surface - and by electric motors under water.

And very briefly - and covering a large tract of technical progress external combustion engines were quickly superseded by internal combustion types - providing power both for surface propulsion, and battery charging. With the advent of radar - it became necessary for a boat to remain submersible for much longer periods. Snorkel was one of the first devices to offer a radical improvement in optical and electromagnetic discretion.’

And with the advent of the high speed four stroke diesel engine a complete ‘rethink’ brought out the modern conventional diesel - electric boat. The innovations however continued - and to overcome the hazards of both surface loitering and snorkelling - the first attempts to achieve air independent propulsion (AIP) were undertaken towards the fag end of the World War II. In the 1950s-nuclear power became the leading option as it provides virtually unlimited energy (and endurance). In fact navies which cannot afford nuclear propulsion has the interesting and innovative option of submarines with AIP. The Agostas 90-B are equipped with this. Pakistan has opted for this in the recent deal with DCN.

As has been pointed out at the outset of this presentation - acoustic stealth is an essential parameter in the noisy environments i.e. how to listen for possible targets with the limitations on sensors. So one of the main operational requirement of a modern submarine is its ability to strike quickly and quietly from afar.

“...Today French nuclear - powered, ballistic missile submarines are amongst the quietest in the world...Turning to conventionally powered submarines for DCN’s international customers, the offering is led by the state of the art ‘scorpene’ already chosen by Chile.”

A few words about the supplies to Pakistan. The first of the three Agosta 90-B submarines was transferred to the Pakistan Navy on 10 August 99 - and after being renamed ‘Khalid’ - the boat underwent final trials and training sorties with her new crew before leaving France in November 1999.

I have already covered the credentials and licensed production of the boats sold to Pakistan in a previous presentation. At the cost of some repetition - Agosta 90B Vessels No 2 and 3 are being partly built in Pakistan under a major DCN technology transfer programme. “Three sections of vessel No 2, delivered by DCN are being outfitted in an assembly hall at PN Dockyard in Pakistan. When complete, they will be transferred to a drydock for assembly.

Meanwhile, the central portions of submarine No 3 is approaching completion at the KSEW plant and the nose and tail sections, which arrived in Karachi in April are being outfitted at PN Dockyard.”

An interesting item related to submarine warfare is the emergency locator beacons. DCN won an international contract for US $2.5 million to fit four Italian Sauro-class submarines with emergency locator beacon system. These beacons are released on the orders of the chief submarine officer - or even automatically in the event of serious mishap/distress.

These beacons are then propelled to the surface by compressed air and provide the exact location of the vessel in distress. A range of vessels carry these sophisticated devices - including the French Navy’s nuclear-powered submarines.

Finally, it will be appropriate to quote the Chief Executive Officer of DCN International who said “... The new millennium and DCN bids in the pipeline in response to international consultations will, I am sure, give DCN ample opportunity to strengthen its position as a leading prime contractor for turnkey naval solutions... As a system architect and designer, naval shipbuilder, and integrator of complex systems - supported by DCN International and its subsidiaries - DCN offers platform designs services plus total commitment to optimal operational efficiency. DCN International is proud to offer friendly navies all over the world direct access to DCN skills and resources.” This is most confidence giving.