Formidable, secretive, versatile, capable of targeted or global strikes, modern submarines are the preferred weapon platforms for fleets that can afford it. It is not surprising, therefore, that the programs for the construction of new submarines and the modernization of existing ones have become so widespread in the world
Since the end of the Cold War, fleets with nuclear submarines such as MPLATRK (multipurpose submarine, nuclear, torpedo, cruise missile) have expanded the scope of operations for these highly powerful platforms. Previously performing tasks for the detection and tracking of enemy submarines, especially for nuclear submarines of the SSBN type (submarine, nuclear, with ballistic missiles), they now routinely work in conjunction with surface warships. Thus, performing their tasks on the high seas and off the coast, MPLATRK significantly increase the reconnaissance, defensive and attacking capabilities of the fleets.
British navy
Great Britain is a member of the elite club of the few countries that are armed with both MPLATRK and SSBN. As for the first category, the third new Astute-class Artful MPLATRK was transferred to the British fleet in March 2016. The Department of Defense has confirmed that BAE System will have built a total of seven vessels of this class at its shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness by 2024. The Astute class submarines, replacing the existing Trafalgar class MPLATRK, have a submerged displacement of 7400 tons, a length of 97 meters and a hull width of 11.3 meters. The propulsion system of these MPLATRKs includes a Rolls-Royce PWR2 water-moderated nuclear reactor and a pump-type water jet propeller, which allows a maximum speed of 30 knots (55.6 km / h) under water.
As for the sensor system of Astute class submarines, they are equipped with a standard 2076 Stage-2 set from Thales, as well as a non-penetrating optronic mast of the CM010 type from the same manufacturer. The Artful MPLATRK is the first submarine to be equipped with the Common Combat System (CCS) developed by BAE Systems, which is to be installed on the first two submarines of this class previously built, as they were still serviced by commercial software. In terms of weapons, the submarines in this class carry surface-to-surface ballistic missiles UGM-1O9E Tomahawk Btock-IV from Raytheon and heavy torpedoes Spearfish from BAE Systems. The British fleet should include four more submarines of this class: Audacious, Anson, Agamemnon and Ajax. According to a 2013 House of Commons statement, these ships are scheduled to be commissioned every two years between 2018 and 2024. The cost of the project has been revised several times since its government approval in 1997, but judging by several figures from the British Department of Defense published since 2011, the total cost of building boats of this class appears to be around $ 11.9 billion.
US Navy
Like the British Navy, the American one is also armed with MPLATRK and SSBN. The US Navy is currently replacing its Los Angeles-class MPLATRK fleet with new Virginia-class submarines. A total of 48 submarines are planned to be built, their construction is divided between the companies General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News. According to the Congressional Research Service, the cost of each submarine will be $ 2.7 billion. As for the characteristics of boats of this class, a Knolls S9G nuclear reactor is installed on them, connected to a pump-type jet propulsion unit from BAE Systems, which allows a speed of at least 35 knots (64.8 km / h). The armament complex includes 12 UGM-109E vertical missile launchers and four launch tubes for 28 Mk.48 torpedoes manufactured by Raytheon. The highly classified sonar system includes Lockheed Martin's AN / BQQ-10 nasal active / passive antenna array, Lockheed Martin's TB-34 towed sonars, Chesapeake Science's RB-33 sonars and fiber optic arrays. To date, 12 submarines have been accepted into service, the most recent John Warner was transferred to the fleet on August 1, 2015. The thirteenth submarine Illinois in this class was launched in October 2015 and is scheduled to be transferred to the fleet on October 29, 2016 (the event happened, all news agencies reported about it). Five more submarines have been ordered for December 2008, four of which, Washington, Colorado, Indiana and South Dakota, are under construction and a fifth Delaware is in the process of being bookmarked. Based on the schedule for the implementation of the existing stages of the program, these first four submarines can be launched sometime in May, September, November and October 2017 and transferred to the fleet a year after these dates. Construction of the South Dakota submarine has not yet begun.
France
Along with the UK and the United States, France is also updating its MPLATRK fleet with the purchase of 5,300-ton Barracuda-class submarines, which are being built by the DCNS shipyard. The first submarine "Suffren" of the six planned is being built for the French fleet. The Suffren is expected to be commissioned in 2017 and the last De Grasse in 2029. The French Senate in 2013 estimated the cost of the entire program at about $ 7.8 billion. These submarines will be equipped with the Areva-Technatrome K-15 nuclear reactor and a pump jet propulsion unit that will allow a speed of at least 25 knots (46 km / h) under water. The armament of nuclear submarines of this class includes sea-based cruise missiles SCALP (Systeme de Croisiere Autonome a Longue Portee-Emploi Genera - multipurpose autonomous long-range cruise missile) from MBDA, anti-ship missiles SM-39 Block-2 "Exocet" also from MBDA and heavy torpedoes F-21 manufactured by DCNS. Weapon systems, sensors and tactical information are processed by the DCNS / Thales SYCOBS battle management system, which integrates all sensors (including an integrated set of Thales S-Cube sonar stations, a Seaclear collision avoidance sonar and two optronic masts from Sagem), processing loaded external tactical data, a system for launching and controlling weapons, as well as communication and navigation systems.
Russia
The first MPLATRK “Severodvinsk” of the new project “Ash” was transferred to the Russian fleet in June 2014 after many delays due to insufficient funding. Its construction at the Sevmash shipyard began back in 1993. The second submarine of this class, Nizhniy Novgorod, entered service in 2016. According to the existing plans, five more submarines of this project are to be built, but at the moment four of them are being built: Kazan, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and Arkhangelsk. The last submarine, Perm, is to be laid down in 2016. The submarines of this project with a displacement of 14021 tons, a length of 120 meters and a width of 15 meters are equipped with a pressurized water-cooled nuclear reactor developed by OKBM im. Afrikantov, allowing to develop a speed under water of 35 knots (64, 8 km / h). According to open sources, the first submarine of this project was successfully tested at a depth of 600 meters. The submarine's armament complex includes eight vertical launch launchers, which are capable of launching P-800 Onyx anti-ship missiles developed by the NPO Mashinostroyenia military-industrial complex, the 3M-54 Caliber-PL anti-ship missiles developed by the Novator OKB and sea-based Kh-101 cruise missiles developed OKB "Raduga". For the first time in the practice of Russian shipbuilding, ten 533-mm torpedo tubes are located behind the compartment of the central post. The spherical sonar station, which occupied the entire nose, did not allow the traditional placement of torpedo tubes in the nose, which is one of the most noticeable distinctive features of this project. They are located at an angle on the side in the area of the fence of the retractable devices. The cost of each submarine is estimated at $ 1.6 billion.
Diesel submarines
In addition to nuclear submarines, more and more attention is paid to traditional diesel submarines (DPLs), especially in the leading fleets of the Middle East and North Africa. For example, two submarines of project 636E "Varshavyanka" developed by KB "Rubin" are to be delivered to the Algerian Navy in 2018; they will join four previously delivered submarines of Project 636 Kilo and Project 877EKM. The main task of the family of submarines of the "Kilo" project is to combat surface and submarine vessels in relatively shallow waters. The general consensus is that these submarines are fairly quiet, since the propeller shaft speed has been reduced in order to significantly reduce the acoustic signatures of visibility. In addition, an air-independent power plant (WPP) was developed for these boats, but there is no information that it will be installed on Algerian submarines. The wind turbine uses fuel cells in combination with an oxygen production system, which allows the boat to remain submerged for a long time, and also to move very quietly due to the fact that it does not depend on cooling pumps that create significant noise. The first two boats are to be delivered by the end of 2018.
Also, Russian submarines are in service with the Egyptian Navy. Egypt's existing submarine fleet consists of four obsolete Project 633 submarines (NATO classification "Romeo") built by the Krasnoye Sormovo plant, modernized in the 90s. On board these submarines are UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles of the American company Boeing. Currently, the process of replacing these boats with four Type 209 class submarines has begun. The first submarine of this class, launched in December 2015, was built by the German shipyard ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Previous submarines of this type were equipped with an optoelectronic non-penetrating type ISUS-90 mast from Atlas Elektronik, as well as a passive / active search and aiming hydroacoustic station CSU-90 manufactured by Atlas Elektronik and side sonar antennas. These submarines can also be equipped with the MSI-90U Mk.2 battle management system developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg. This combat control system is also installed aboard the Indonesian Navy's Cakra / Type-209 class submarines and is expected to be installed aboard the Indonesian Chang Bogo / Type-209 class submarines.
Israel
Israel, meanwhile, is building up its submarine power as part of its naval development program, which is now tasked with protecting offshore gas fields in the Mediterranean. Three modern submarines of the "Dolphin IV" class, which are being built by a division of the German TKMS, the Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft shipyard, will subsequently be accepted into the balance of the Israeli Navy. The total cost of this program is $ 1.8 billion and is partially subsidized by the German government. The first two submarines, Tannin and Rahav, have already been handed over to Israel, and the third is due for delivery in 2017. These submarines have a special classification of secrecy, since they use wind turbine technology, which allows them to develop a speed of 25 knots under water. The armament includes Atlas Elektronik's DM-2A4 Seehake wire-guided torpedoes and Boeing's UGM-84C anti-ship missiles, as well as LFK-Lenkflugkorpersysteme's Triton anti-helicopter missiles. The submarines are equipped with six 533-mm and four 650-mm torpedo tubes. Larger-diameter vehicles can not only fire torpedoes and cruise missiles, but also serve as an airlock for naval commandos from Israel's Flotilla 13 unit.
Australia
The Australian Navy is considered to be a highly experienced DPL operator, strategically located and with professional ties to the European and Asian fleets. These and some other reasons forced the Australian Navy to begin both the modernization of the existing problematic Collins class submarines, and a program to replace them. According to a renowned Australian underwater warfare expert: “The diesel engines of these submarines generally need special attention, and there is also a fundamental problem with the fuel tanks of Collins class submarines, which are not designed to operate in the very salty seawater of the Australian coast. ". The shipbuilding company ASC, the manufacturer of the existing six Collins-class submarines, is set to work hard to build new surface warships over the next ten years. And in this regard, the company will have limited opportunities to implement the Collins class submarine modernization program, within which, most likely, batteries, a weapons complex, communication systems and sonar stations will also have to be refined. In the words of a senior naval officer: "The politically sensitive issue of modernizing submarines in Sweden, where they were originally developed, is currently being worked out." The involvement of the Spanish shipyard Navantia to build the hulls for the Australian Navy's two new Canberra-class amphibious assault ships drew much criticism from politicians who said that for economic and safety reasons, all work on these ships should be carried out in Australia. The transfer of contracts to foreign companies for the construction of Australian submarines is likely to generate strong opposition from opposition politicians and trade unions. At the same time, in October 2015, the Kockums shipyard (a division of Saab) proposed the modernization of Australian submarines based on the improvements carried out on the Gotland class submarines of the Swedish fleet. Currently, the modernization of the Australian fleet's submarines, which is expected to be completed in 2019, is being carried out by Saab.
Along with the planned modernization of the Collins class submarines, the Australian Navy is already looking for a replacement. In April 2016, Australia selected the French shipbuilding company DCNS as the preferred contractor for the Collins-class submarine replacement program, designated Project Sea 1000. Negotiations are under way between the Australian Department of Defense and DCNS shipyard, due to conclude in early 2017. … Depending on the outcome of these negotiations, DCNS will begin a three-year contract for the construction of new submarines. The French shipyard's design is a variation on the Barracuda class submarine, hence the designation Shortfin Barracuda-A1. Traditional nuclear submarines of the "Barracuda" class are in service with the French navy. Australia has yet to decide whether to acquire the combat control system from Lockheed Martin or Raytheon. All twelve submarines that the Australian Navy will purchase will be built at Australian shipyards.
Brazil
In Latin America, the Brazilian fleet stands out for its might. The fleet, armed with five Type 209 class submarines, is currently working with the French shipyard DCNS to replace its traditional diesel submarines with DCNS Scorpene class nuclear submarines, after which it will join an elite group of countries that have weapons are similar submarines. According to French media reports, the total value of the contract is $ 9.3 billion.“I can confirm that the Scorpene-class submarines will be armed with heavy F-21 torpedoes and CANTO electronic countermeasures,” said DCNS spokesman Marion Bonnet. "Most likely, the submarines will be armed with anti-ship missiles, although it is too early to say which ones." Construction of the first Brazilian Scorpene-class submarine, mainly of French components, is already underway at Brazil's Itagual shipyard on the south coast, where a new submarine base is also under construction. The country's leadership says Brazil needs nuclear submarines to ensure the long-term security of the country's long coastline and offshore mineral deposits. It is likely that today's Brazilian politicians also want to increase the status and influence of the country, especially in connection with the possible permanent membership in the UN Security Council.
The construction of the nuclear submarine Alvare Alberto of its own Brazilian design with a submerged displacement of about 4,000 tons, which was supposed to begin in 2015, has not yet begun. It is known that a pressurized water-cooled reactor 2131-R of Brazilian design, which was manufactured back in 2013, will be installed on the boat. The reactor model determines its placement in the middle of the vessel. The French company DCNS will assist in the construction of the hull and will also provide non-nuclear technology. The commander of the Brazilian fleet recently confirmed that priority is being given to building nuclear submarines. However, Brazil's economic and political turmoil, as well as corruption allegations of the head of a state-owned nuclear reactor company, are likely to diminish the country's ambitions to build its own nuclear submarines.
Around the world, national concerns about maritime sovereignty, the safety of offshore fields and the protection of maritime communications continue to intensify in parallel with the growth of the capabilities of submarine fleets. In this regard, a significant increase in the number of programs for the construction of new submarines and the modernization of existing submarines is inevitable.
