Cosmos-class submarine

Last updated
Cosmos-class submarine
Cosmos Class Submarine.jpg
Class overview
BuildersDesign: Cos.Mo.S in Livorno, Italy Construction and Design: KS&EW Ltd. in Karachi, Pakistan
OperatorsNaval Standard of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan Navy
Preceded by SX-404 class
Succeeded by Dolgorae class (South Korea)
Built1993–96
Planned3
Completed3
Active3
General characteristics
Type SDV/Midget submarine
Displacement
  • Surfaced: 102 tons
  • Submerged: 110 tons
Length28 m (91 ft 10 in)
Beam2.30 m (7 ft 7 in)
Draft5.59 m (18 ft 4 in)
Propulsion Diesel-electric
Speed
  • Surfaced: 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)
  • Submerged: 6.0 knots (11.1 km/h; 6.9 mph)
Range2,500 miles (4,000 km)
Endurance20 days
Test depth110 m (360 ft)
Complement14, (6 operations, 2 SEAL Teams)
Armament
  • Torpedo tubes
  • Mine laying hooks

The Cosmos-class submarine, officially Cos.Mo.S MG-110 [1] locally designated as X-Craft, [2] are a class of midget submarines designed by the Italian firm Cos.Mo.S, in Karachi Naval Dockyard, Pakistan. [3]

Contents

The Cosmos-class submarines are currently stationed in PNS Iqbal and are used as the SDV for the SEAL Teams of the Navy Special Service Group, since 1993. [3] Despite classified as submarine by its builder in Karachi, the Cosmos, nonetheless, fall under the responsibility of the Naval Strategic Forces Command for planning development while the Commander of the Coastal Areas remains in charge for the operational deployments only. [2]

Design overview

Design was initially conceived in 1983–85 in Italy for the COMSUBIN (special forces) of the Marina Militare (Italian Navy), which was already operating a large fleet of midget class submarines in their inventory.: 270–271  [4] The Italian firm, Cosmos, had initially designed for the eight submarines, along with the designs of three Dolgorae-class submarine for the Republic of Korea Navy in 1983.: 84  [5]

The Cosmos-class submarines are 28 m (91 ft 10 in): 270  [4] (sources vary with GlobalSecurity.org noting the length at 27.25 m (89 ft 5 in)) [3] long, and with one propeller that is powered by a diesel-electric engine.: 270  [4] The Cosmos are more capable of conducting the operations than their predecessor design, the SX-404-class submarine in 1970s.: 270  [4] The submarine range is between 1,800 miles (2,897 km) at 6.0 knots (11.1 km/h; 6.9 mph) in diving capability and has an endurance of up to twenty days in sea.: 86–87  [6] The Cosmos can launch the Mark 5 torpedo from the standard 533 mm torpedo tubes according to the research paper published by Massimo Annati in 1996 at the United States Naval Academy in the U.S. state of Maryland.: 88  [6]

In 1990, the Pakistan Navy entered in discussion with the Marina Militare (Italian Navy) of procuring these submarines in a view of decommissioning the SX-404-class submarines that was bought from Italy in 1970.: 270  [4] The three designs of the Cosmos were originally intended for the export to the Republic of Korea Navy in 1983, which was already seeking the Dolgorae design.: 84  [5]

In 1990s, Pakistan bought the proprietary designs and had the engineers from the Italian firm, the Cosmos Spa, to re-design and constructed the Cosmos-class submarines in a joint venture with the KS&EW Ltd. at the Karachi Naval Dockyard in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.: 172  [7] The KS&EW Ltd. received the production license for the Cosmos for export from her manufacturer and the first ship of her class was commissioned in the Navy in 1993. [3] Two other submarines were entered in service in 1993 and 1996 respectively. [3] The Cosmos serves as the swimmer delivery vehicle (SDV) for the Navy Special Service Group and were initially under their control until 2005 while stationed at PNS Iqbal in Karachi. [2]

In 2005, the Cosmos control was given to the Commander Submarines (COMSUBS) for the operational deployments but later the control of the submarines were given back to the Navy Special Service Group under Command of the Coastal Areas (COMCOAST) for operational deployment while its engineering and maintenance remains under the Naval Strategic Forces Command. [2]

As of 2019, there are three Cosmos-class submarines that are active in the Navy as shown below:

NameBuilderLaunchedCommissionedDecommissionedStatus
—KS&EW Ltd.1993—Active
—KS&EW Ltd.1993—Active
—KS&EW Ltd.19931996—Active
Source: MG110 Cosmos/X-Craft by globalsecurity.org

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diver propulsion vehicle</span> Powered device for diver mobility and range extension

A diver propulsion vehicle (DPV), also known as an underwater propulsion vehicle, sea scooter, underwater scooter, or swimmer delivery vehicle (SDV) by armed forces, is an item of diving equipment used by scuba divers to increase range underwater. Range is restricted by the amount of breathing gas that can be carried, the rate at which that breathing gas is consumed, and the battery power of the DPV. Time limits imposed on the diver by decompression requirements may also limit safe range in practice. DPVs have recreational, scientific and military applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midget submarine</span> Submarine under 150 tons

A midget submarine is any submarine under 150 tons, typically operated by a crew of one or two but sometimes up to six or nine, with little or no on-board living accommodation. They normally work with mother ships, from which they are launched and recovered and which provide living accommodation for the crew and support staff.

SEAL Delivery Vehicle Manned wet submersible for deploying naval special forces

The SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) is a crewed submersible and a type of swimmer delivery vehicle used to deliver United States Navy SEALs and their equipment for special operations missions. It is operated by SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams.

PNS <i>Hangor</i> (S131) Pakistani submarine

PNS/M Hangor (S-131) was a Daphné-class diesel-electric submarine that served in the Pakistan Navy from 1969 until its decommissioning in 2006. It is the first submarine to sink a ship after World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan Navy</span> Maritime service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces

The Pakistan Navy (PN) is the naval warfare branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The Chief of the Naval Staff, a four-star admiral commands the navy. The Pakistan Navy operates on the coastline of Pakistan in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. It was established in August 1947, following the independence of Pakistan from the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Trident (1971)</span> Offensive launched by Indian navy against Pakistan

Operation Trident was an offensive operation launched by the Indian Navy on Pakistan's port city of Karachi during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Operation Trident saw the first use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the region. The operation was conducted on the night of 4–5 December and inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani vessels and facilities. While India suffered no losses, Pakistan lost a minesweeper, a destroyer, a cargo vessel carrying ammunition, and fuel storage tanks in Karachi. Another destroyer was also badly damaged and eventually scrapped. India celebrates its Navy Day annually on 4 December to mark this operation. Trident was followed up by Operation Python three days later.

Advanced SEAL Delivery System Former Navy SEAL mini-sub deployed from submarines

The Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) was a midget submarine operated by the United States Navy and United States Special Operations Command. It provided stealthy submerged transportation for United States Navy SEALs from the decks of nuclear submarines for use as an insertion platform for covert and clandestine special operations missions. The ASDS was canceled in 2009 due to cost overruns and reliability issues, after the prototype was destroyed in a fire in 2008. As of 2019, the Navy plans to replace the ASDS with the Dry Combat Submersible, a similar midget submarine being developed by Lockheed Martin.

<i>Zulfiquar</i>-class frigate Class of Pakistan Navy frigates

The Zulfiquar-class frigate, also known as F-22P or in English: Sword class, is a class of multi-mission guided missile frigates, in service with the Pakistan Navy. The class is based on an updated model of the Chinese design, the Type 053H3. The frigates were designed and built jointly in Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China and the KS&EW Ltd. in Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Service Group (Navy)</span> The special operations force of the Pakistan Navy

The Pakistan Navy Special Service Group is the special operations force tasked with the conducting the small-unit based military operations in all environmental formats of the sea, air, and land by adopting to the tactics of the unconventional warfare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works</span> Shipbuilding company based in Karachi, Pakistan

The Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited is a major defence contractor and shipbuilding company situated in the West Wharf in Karachi, Sindh in Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan Marines</span> Military unit

The Pakistan Marines or simply as Pak Marines, is an expeditionary and amphibious warfare uniform service branch within the Pakistan Navy, consisting of the naval officers and other personnel to perform their duties within the Marines. Pakistan Marines are responsible for providing force protection in littorals, using the mobility of the Pakistan Navy to provide creeks defence, ground based air defence and Force protection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jinnah Naval Base</span>

Jinnah Naval Base is a strategic naval base of the Pakistan Navy located at Ormara, Balochistan, Pakistan. It is named after Pakistan's founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. It is Pakistan's second largest naval base.

The Indo-Pakistani Naval War of 1971 refers to the maritime military engagements between the Indian Navy and the Pakistan Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The series of naval operations began with the Indian Navy's exertion of pressure on Pakistan from the Indian Ocean, while the Indian Army and Indian Air Force moved in to choke Pakistani forces operating in East Pakistan on land. Indian naval operations comprised naval interdiction, air defence, ground support, and logistics missions.

The SX-404-class submarine, was a class of midget submarines produced by the Italian firm Cos.Mo.S.

CosMoS CE2F were a series of swimmer delivery vehicles (SDV) built by M/s Cos.Mo.S Spa. which was based in Livorno, Italy.

The PNS Iqbal is the naval base that serves as the training and operating headquarters of the Navy Special Service Group, having been established in 1966 at the Karachi coast in Sindh in Pakistan.

Cos.Mo.S, officially Costruzione Motoscafi Sottomarini s.a.s, was an Italian submarine and submersible manufacturer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commander, Pakistan Fleet</span> Appointment in Pakistan fleet

Commander Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK) is a formal title in the Pakistan Navy to denote the head as the commander of Pakistan Fleet Command with duties sanctioned by the navy for fleet support, progressive transition of the fleet, and ensuring effectiveness of the force. The COMPAK is also assigned with responsibilities to ensure combat and staff capabilities of the fleet such as deployment of the forces, in addition to ensure equipment capacities designed to improve "operational readiness".

<i>Tughril</i>-class frigate Class of multi-role warships for the Pakistan Navy

The Tughril-class frigates, formally classified as the Type 054A/P frigates, are a series of modified guided-missile frigates built by Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding (HDZH), for the Pakistan Navy. The Type 054A/P is a modified derivative of the Type 054A frigate and was specifically customised to meet the operational requirements of the Pakistan Navy; the class features several capabilities - including anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-aircraft warfare (AAW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and low radar observability. The frigates form the mainstay of the Pakistan Navy's active naval fleet. The class also supplants the obsolete Tariq-class destroyers.

References

  1. ↑ Sutton, HI. "www.forbes.com". Pakistan Navy Keeps Silent On Mystery Submarine But New Details Emerge. Forbes. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Submarine Force". www.paknavy.gov.pk. Navy ISPR. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Pike, John. "Cosmos Class MG110". www.globalsecurity.org. global security.org. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Tunander, Ola (2004). The Secret War Against Sweden: US and British Submarine Deception in the 1980s. London, UK: Psychology Press. p. 333. ISBN   9780714653228 . Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  5. 1 2 Thornton, W. M. (1996). Submarine Insignia and Submarine Services of the World. Pen and Sword. p. 155. ISBN   9780850525366 . Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  6. 1 2 Massimo Annati, "Underwater special operations craft", Military technology, no. 3, 1996
  7. ↑ Arnett, Eric H. (1997). Military Capacity and the Risk of War: China, India, Pakistan, and Iran. Oxford University Press. p. 346. ISBN   9780198292814 . Retrieved 20 February 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.