French naval export company Armaris on Aug. 28 made a formal offer of three Marlin diesel-electric patrol submarines to Pakistan, a deal that would include MBDA Exocet SM39 missiles, a Pakistani official said Sept. 8.
The French government granted approval for Armaris to offer the Marlin SSK in May, after long hesitation for fear of upsetting India, which recently bought six French Scorpene submarines, also armed with Exocet anti-ship weapons. MBDA declined comment. Armaris officials were not immediately available.
Complicating the sale for France is the Pakistan NavyÂ’s preference for the Boeing Harpoon missile. The U.S. government has authorized the sale of 30 submarine-launched versions of the Harpoon to Islamabad. Acquisition of the Harpoon would be a first for Pakistan, as its forces have only operated the air-launched and surface ship versions so far. The Pakistan Navy operates the French DCN-designed Agosta 90B Khalid boat, armed with Exocets.
French business daily La Tribune reported Sept. 8 that Spanish and Germany industry were working on their offers to Pakistan. The Marlin would be an updated, all-French version of the Franco-Spanish Scorpene boat and include air-independent propulsion. The sub deal is likely to be worth $1 billion to $1.2 billion. Armaris is a DCN-Thales joint venture. |