Posted on 07/06/2005 12:08:22 AM PDT by Srirangan
Quoting a report from the Second International Naval Show (IMDS-2005) in St. Petersburg.
Moreover, Kommersant found out that Rosoboronexport is negotiating with Iran about repair and modernization of Iranian submarines. Iran has three submarines of Project 877EKM that were supplied by Russia in 1992 (Russian name of the sub B-219, Iranian901 Tareq), in June 1993 (B-224, 902 Noor) and in November 1996 (B-175, 903 Yunes). It was expected that all the major components that already exceeded their life expectancy will be replaced. Also, the new anti-ship missile complex Club-S with the target distance of 200 km will be installed on these subs. The refurbishing of each sub would be done under the contract which costs anywhere from $80 to $90 million. Originally it was expected that the refurbishing will be done in Zvezdochka Co (Severo-Dvinsk) but Admiralty Shipyards are also fighting for the contract.
Umm,the Kilo class D/Es are renowned for their quietness when submerged.
Actually,the cooperation I look at is more than political.Italian,French,German & even British companies are trying to sign up with Russian weapons manufacturers to jointly develop or market goods.Both Italy & Russia pretty much developed an advanced jet trainer(Yak-130) together,but broke off only due to technical considerations,while the BAE & AMS of Britain are promoting joint upgrades of several Russian weapons.Then there is the issue of Russia becoming an attractive investment destination & fast growing for companies from these countries.So even if Germany or Spain go conservative again,there isn't a guarantee that they will turn their backs to Moscow-their interests seem to demand that.
But do you really thing anything they have could leave Bandar-e Abbas without us knowing about it? I still say relax , Iran has had these subs over 10 years. This is no problem.
That's why the fact that these subs are getting an overhaul should be worrying.Most folks are just focussing on the facts that new missiles will be fitted,which is serious enough.But whenever subs have to be drydocked,there is always the chance of upgrading it's sonars,EW & countermeasures systems & also the possibility of installing new batteries.Iran reportedly had problems with the Kilo's batteries when they entered service.Moreover,a new coating of anechoic tiles may be added for absorbing sonar pings.
I have to agree that the USN probably has got the prop signatures of these subs long ago.But one also has to understand that D/E subs are usually quieter than N-boats,though their low endurance negates that.One can just look at examples of Dutch & Norwegian subs "sinking" American LA class boats in exercises & most of those boats have pretty much the same characteristics as the Kilo.
I think we should wait for the multi-million dollar refurbishments to be completed and then sink them.
Slightly off topic - could Merkel be Germay's version of Thatcher? It would be ood to see the tax cuts and government reductions that Kohl proposed passed. What Kohl proposed had to have been inspired by Reagan.
Considering that our enemies are Islamists who would just as soon nuke Moscow as they would NYC, the Russians are playing a dangerous game. ......and one that they'll lose, as usual.
Don't forget how heavily America is invested in Russia's economy, more so than the other countries you mentioned, Yet we, like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Britain, adhere to Reagan's way of dealing with the Russians, "trust but verify."
I hope you're right. I have friends who live in Munich, and they despise Schroeder and the way he has wrecked the German economy. I think a dose of good old supply-side tax cuts is just what the doctor ordered, and Angela Merkel will hopefully deliver.
No argument, however, there is a difference between Dutch & Norwegian crews vs. an Iranian crew. Can you even imagine being on a sub crewed by the Iranians? LOL
;-)
Oi Vey!
One can't be sure about the skills of Iranian crews(or the lack of it),but I certainly wouldn't want to underestimate anyone esp folks who think they've got 72 virgins waiting for them!!!!!!
Very true, many thought Japanese were flying paper planes and had clueless pilots before WW2 too. Price of arrogance is often very high.
Yep. You are right. They are as much infidels as people in the U.S. are, according to Islam.
And now Russia and China are ordering our forces out of Uzbekistan, Krygastan. How soon before they order us out of all of them?
It only takes one MK48, that's for sure...
If the Iranians had Dutch or Norwegian crews I'd be much more worried.
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