SSM-NEWCON Midget Submarine

A Midget submarine has a displacement of around 100 tons, and a crew of a handful of people. It has the structure of general large-scale submarine, including hull, steerable system, power set, armament systems, navigation system, detection system System, communication equipment, underwater acoustic warfare equipment, lifesaving appliance, etc. Each coastal state is building a variety of equipment to prevent spies, such as spies, that may harm the security of neighboring countries or nations, from penetrating the coast. There is a problem in that it can be difficult to detect a small-sized operating body.

A new "mystery" submarine was first reported on in April 2020. In a video posted to Twitter, Pakistani sailors marched in a coronavirus-era parade formation at a port in Karachi. The sailors, members of Pakistan’s Special Services Group Navy, serve a similar role to the United States’ Navy SEALs. In the background of the video, a tarpaulin-covered submarine can just be made out. The small sub is estimated to be around 55 feet, or nearly 17 meters long and roughly seven to eight feet in beam. This is just over half as long as the X-class. The new submarine may also feture two torpedo tubes in a casing on the top of the hull. In contrast to the older X-class, this new submarine might be a truly original domestic design.

Pakistan’s Special Service Group (Navy) had been using the Cosmos MG110 midget for overt and covert operations. These submarines had been in service from the early 1990s and were nearing the end of their service lives.

The importance of self-reliance through indigenization cannot be over underscored. Phenomenon of indigenization is a function of numerable factors and considerations outside the control of developing countries. In 1965, the embargo placed on Pakistan made the Government realize that there was a necessity of achieving self-reliance in production of essential defence hardware items. This led to the establishment of Directorate General Munitions Production and Procurement (DGMP&P) in 1967. It was bifurcated in 1970 into DGDP & DGMP. The former catering to defence procurement and the later for indigenous production of defence equipment through ToT, co-production and joint ventures keeping in view the local potential to absorb the requisite know how. In the Ministry of Defense Production (MoDP) Year Book 2015–2016, the Directorate General Munitions Production [Dte MP (Navy)] proposed the "Indigenous design and construction of 01 Midget Submarine".

Prakash Panneerselvam, writing in The Diplomat, noted a probable midget submarine at at Karachi Port [(24°50’3.74?N, 66°58’14.23?E)]. "The midget submarine as seen from the satellite images has a length of around 55 feet (16.7 m) and a beam measurement of around 8 feet (2.43 m).... it is clear from the image that the submarine appears to be larger than the Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) and slightly smaller than the MG110 midget submarines."

Talks in 2016 between the Pakistan Navy and the Turkish defence vendor Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.S. (STM) were held for the joint development of a mini-submarine to supplant the Pakistan Navy’s aging Cosmos MG110 (SX756/W) mini-submarines. According to MSI Turkish Defence Review, Pakistan and STM had studied the feasibility of upgrading the MG110s, but both sides concluded that this was not an affordable route. Subsequently, STM proposed “designing a submarine platform from scratch,” which – if inked – would be considered a “different and strategic” collaborative effort between the two countries. Turkish shipbuilder Yonca-Onuk also proposed its Underwater Offensive Team boat (i.e. SDV).

Murat Ikinci, General Manager of Turkish firm STM (Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.S.), noted " Our current business in Pakistan is continuing successfully. We have excellent relations with the Pakistan Navy and we are currently discussing new projects, including serious and dedicated works for midget submarines.... our relations are constantly moving forward to a much higher level. There is also significant cooperation between the Pakistan Navy and the Turkish Naval Forces, which also affects us positively."

A ‘mini-submarine,’ built by Turkey, for use in the Sir Creek area, that India also claims, has arrived at the Keomari Port in Karachi. This is the first of the four ordered from Turkey. Defences sources said that they are smaller than conventional submarines, being a little more than 110 tons and can be used in these waters. They are small and this makes detection more difficult. There is more concern as the Pakistan Navy is building up the Keti Bander Port, possibly for submarines. The depths in the Sir Creek waters do not allow the movement of conventional submarines, but smaller submarines can function in the area. The four ‘mini’ submarines will replace the MG110 Italian submarines that were with the Pakistan Navy and used by naval commandos of the Special Service Group.