I have been watching Pakistan develop there Augusta 90B with interest for several years. How quiet are these boats? Can we easily detect them? Obviously Osama wants the whole shebang and all that means.
If this is general knowledge I’d like to know.
The Pakistani Agosta-90Bs use the MESMA AIP system where liquid oxygen is mixed with ethanol.It produces considerable power,but has a higher rate of oxygen usage,so it’s endurance would be limited compared to other AIP systems.The standard endurance for the MESMA is given at around 4 times that of a conventional D/E sub-so it might be able to stay under for upto 10 days or more.
You would assume that it would also use it’s batteries in between.These subs would be difficult to detect once they are on battery/AIP mode-more so since their primary area of operation would be the Arabian Sea,the saline/temperature/weather characteristics have made anti-sub exercises a hard job for all navies out there.
The Pakis supposedly plan to fit their Babur cruise missile to these boats.With a range of 300 miles & capable of carrying a N-warhead(probably with Chinese help),these subs can be one very uncomfortable enemy.
BTW-the only thing Pakistani about the Agosta-90B is that they are building it.It’s a French design with French technology.And before you jump on the French!!,Earlier Pakistani Agosta class ships were fitted with Harpoon missiles.
There is no general knowledge. We don't talk about submarines, ever.