Italy, Russia to Modernize Diesel Submarine Project

ST. PETERSBURG, July 5 (RIA Novosti) – Russia and Italy have decided to optimize their joint next-generation diesel submarine project, a Russian naval design bureau said Friday.

S-1000 diesel submarine project

The S-1000, a 1,000-ton diesel submarine, is a joint project begun in 2004 by Russian submarine builder Rubin and Italy’s Fincantieri. Russia and Italy presented a mockup model of the S-1000 at an international arms show in France in October 2006.

Andrei Baranov, deputy head of the Rubin Central Design Bureau, said that in its proposed configuration, the S-1000 is of “little interest” for potential clients, adding that a decision had been made to improve the project and target specific countries that need a submarine fleet.

The submarine was originally designed for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, reconnaissance missions, and transportation of up to 12 troops. It is 56.2 meters long, has a top speed of 14 knots and is equipped with a new fuel cell-powered Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system developed by the Italian firm.

Although its exterior will stay as designed, there will be considerable changes to “what’s inside” the submarine, Baranov said, adding that the target regions for selling submarine would remain the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

He cited several reasons for the upgrading the sub, including to market it to the Russian and Italian navies. He said the S-1000 design was drawn up almost a decade ago and much has changed since then. And, he noted, such small submarines are currently in great demand in the world, and there is intense competition on the market.

“Countries that are actively looking for new submarines are setting some totally unexpected demands for those ships,” he said.

RIA Novosti

Video: Kilo 636 submarine opens fire to destroy enemy's ships

The Kilo class is the NATO reporting name for a naval diesel-electric submarine that is made in Russia. The original version of the vessels were designated Project 877 Paltus (Halibut) in Russia. There is also a more advanced version, designated as Improved Kilo in the west, and Project 636 Varshavyanka in Russia.

The Kilo class was to have been succeeded by the Lada class. In November 2011 the Russian Navy announced that the Lada class will not enter service because trials with the lead boat of the new class, Sankt Peterburg (B-585) had shown major deficiencies. Construction of two further boats has been suspended.

The boats are mainly intended for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in relatively shallow waters. Original Project 877 boats are equipped with Rubikon MGK-400 sonar system (with NATO reporting name Shark Gill), which includes a mine detection and avoidance sonar MG-519 Arfa (with NATO reporting name Mouse Roar). Newer Project 636 boats are equipped with improved MGK-400EM, with MG-519 Afra also upgraded to MG-519EM. The improved sonar systems have reduced the number of operators needed by sharing the same console via automation.

Anechoic tiles are fitted on casings and fins to absorb the sonar sound waves of active sonar, which results in a reduction and distortion of the return signal. These tiles also help attenuate sounds that are emitted from the submarine, thus reducing the range by which the sub may be detected by passive sonar.

Operators:

Algeria : 2 Original Kilo, 2 Improved Kilo.

People's Republic of China : 2 Original Kilo, 10 Improved Kilo.

India : Designated as the Sindhughosh class; 10 active.

Poland : 1 Kilo ORP Orzeł.

Iran : 3 Kilo.

Romania : 1 Kilo – (Delfinul II).

Russia : 17 Kilo in active service (B-445; B-459 Vladikavkaz; B-464 Ust'-Kamchatsk; B-471 Magnitogorsk; B-494 Ust'-Bolsheretsk; B-800 Kaluga; B-871 Alrosa; B-808 Yaroslavl'; B-177 Lipetsk; B-806; B-340; B-190; B-227; B-260 Chita; B-345; B-394; B-402 Vologda).; 6 Improved Kilo ordered

Vietnam : 6 Improved Kilo (Kilo-636 KMV) on order, contract signed in 2010, production of one per year.

Aust-Japan could co-operate on subs: study

AUSTRALIA and Japan could deepen defence ties by co-operating on Australia's next generation of submarines, a think tank says.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) says Japan's expertise in building submarines suited to Pacific operations could be of interest to Australia as it looks to replace its six Collins boats.

Australia and Japan could also co-operate on ballistic missile defence, with Japan already fielding SM-3 missiles on its Kongo-class warships - a capability Australia is considering for its air warfare destroyers.

"In particular, Japan and Australia could increase their defence industry co-operation and ease export controls, a move that Japan has recently taken with the United Kingdom," ASPI says in a paper released on Monday.

Australia is currently examining options to replace the Collins submarine replacement, including an all-new design or an evolution of the Collins.

"The Australian government has committed to developing a submarine propulsion testbed facility, and it would work to Australia's great advantage if one of the systems tested had significant Japanese input," ASPI said.

Overall, ASPI said there were indications Australia-Japan defence relations would expand in coming decades.

"Not only because there's a desire for closer ties and a substantially shared strategic view of the world, but also because there'll be a growing need for us to work together to achieve common security goals," it added.

Japanese defence co-operation is constrained by its post-World War Two constitution.

The Australian

Russia to train crew of 2nd submarine bought by Vietnam

This July Russia will start training the future crew of the second Kilo-class submarine Vietnam has agreed to buy from the country, Russian news agency Interfax reported Monday.
The submarine named “Ho Chi Minh City” set off for sea trials April 28, four months after being launched.

Interfax reported that the submarine embarked Monday for a two-week sea trial.

It will arrive at the seaport town of Baltiysk early next month and return to Admiralteiskie Verfi shipyard in St. Petersburg by mid-June.

In July, the training will get underway for Vietnamese crew, according to Interfax.

It is expected that the submarine will be delivered to Vietnam in late October.

During the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to Moscow in December 2009, Vietnam signed a US$2 billion deal to buy six diesel-electric submarines from Russia.

Russia has promised to deliver them all by 2016.

In another Russia visit on May 13, Dung called on the factory "Ship Repair-West" in the Russian seaport city of Kaliningrad and watched the first submarine built for the Vietnam Navy undergoing sea trials.

The submarine named “Hanoi” has undergone 23 successful dives.

The Voice of Russia reported that the third submarine, named “Hai Phong,” will be launched this August.

Kilo-class submarines, nicknamed "Black Holes" for their ability to avoid detection, are considered to be among the quietest diesel-electric submarines in the world.

They are designed for general reconnaissance and patrol missions, as well as anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare.

They have a displacement capacity of 2,300 tons, a maximum depth of 350 meters, and are equipped with six 533-mm torpedo tubes with a firing range of 9,600 km.

Thanhnien News