Daphné-class submarine

The ''Daphné''-class submarine was a class of the diesel-electric powered submarines designed and constructed by the French defense contractor, DCNS, for the French Navy in 1964. Marketed by the French government for the export market, the ''Daphné'' design went on to serve in South Africa while there were subclasses based on the ''Daphné'' design that were commissioned in the navies of Pakistan, Portugal, and Spain.

History

These submarines were enlarged versions of the . Eleven were used by France. Boats of this design were sold to several other countries: Pakistan (3), Portugal (4), South Africa (3) and Spain (4). However, two ( 1970 and 1968) sank accidentally and brought sales to an end. The cause was eventually considered to have been a faulty snorkel design. The submarines were scrapped in the 1990s and Portugal sold one of its boats to Pakistan. sank the Indian frigate during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war. Pakistan has now retired the submarine and is replacing it.

Design features

Besides its eight torpedo tubes forward, this submarine class has four in the stern. All are for torpedoes of the French diameter; while the forward tubes hold full-length torpedoes (either against ship either against submarine), the stern tubes hold only shortened ones (only against submarine, in autodefense).

The forward diving planes are located below the midplane of the hull. Unlike those of modern German submarines, which are similarly located, they function by tilting and cannot retract; neither do they fold.

Ships

French Navy

*S641 ''Daphné'' – completed 1964,decommissioned 1989
* S642 ''Diane'' – completed 1964, decommissioned 1989
* S643 ''Doris'' – completed 1964, decommissioned 1994
* S644 – completed 1964 – lost in an accident on 4 March 1970
* S645 ''Flore'' – completed 1964, decommissioned 1989, preserved as museum ship in Lorient, France
* S646 ''Galatée'' – completed 1964, decommissioned 1991
* S647 – completed 1964, lost in an accident on 27 January 1968
* S648 ''Junon'' – completed 1966, decommissioned 1996
* S649 ''Vénus'' – completed 1966, decommissioned 1990
* S650 ''Psyché'' – completed 1970, decommissioned 1996
* S651 ''Sirène'' – completed 1970, decommissioned 1996

Pakistan Navy

The Pakistan Navy ''Hangor''-class was formed of three submarines built in France and one acquired from Portugal in the mid-1970s

* S131 – completed 1970, decommissioned 2006 and placed in Pakistan Maritime Museum
* S132 – completed 1970, decommissioned 2006
* S133 – completed 1970, decommissioned 2006
* S134 - Portuguese ''Cachalote'' acquired in 1975, decommissioned 2006

Portuguese Navy

The four s of the Portuguese Navy were built in France using the Daphne design. They formed the 4th Submarine Flotilla.

South African Navy

Three submarines were built by France for South Africa.

*S97 ''SAS Maria van Riebeeck'', renamed
:completed 1970, decommissioned by 2003
*S98 ''SAS Emily Hobhouse'', renamed
:completed 1970, decommissioned by 2003
*S99 ''SAS Johanna van der Merwe'', renamed
:completed 1971, decommissioned by 2003, converted to museum ship

Spanish Navy

Four submarines were built for the Spanish Navy by Bazan at Cartagena dockyard. In Spain is named ''Delfín'' class (S-60).

* S61 ''Delfín''
:completed 1973 – decommissioned 2003, since 2004 a museum ship at Torrevieja
* S62 ''Tonina''
:completed 1973. decommissioned 2005, to be museum ship at Cartagena
* S63 ''Marsopa''
:completed 1975. decommissioned 2006
* S64 ''Narval'' – completed 1975 – decommissioned 2003

Image gallery

Image:PNS Ghazi 134 DN-SC-92-03633.JPEG, ''Daphné''-class submarine ''Ghazi'' (S-134)
Image:PsychéRouen1994.jpg, ''Psyché''
Image:Doris 1994.jpg, ''Doris''
Image:Torrevieja - Museo Flotante, Submarino S-61 (2).jpg, '' Delfín''

See also

*List of submarines of France

References

External links

Sous-marin ''Minerve'' : Caractéristiques principales

{{DEFAULTSORT:Daphne-class submarine
Submarine classes


Ship classes of the French Navy