Turkish defense firm completes test of Zargana Anti-Torpedo System for Pakistan’s Submarines

IRIA Staff - January 11, 2022

Turkey's leading defense company Aselsan has completed work on an anti-torpedo technology to be used by Pakistan to protect its Agosta 90B-class submarine. Zargana Torpedo Countermeasure System recently completed its factory acceptance test. The Zargana system was developed for Pakistan Navy as part of the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) program. Turkish Navy’s Preveze-class submarine was used to test the system.

Pakistan Navy officials and Turkish STM Defense officials attended the tests. After its successful tests and production, Indonesian submarines are also expected to use be equipped with the Turkish-made Zargana Torpedo Countermeasure System.

Both Turkish and Pakistani naval officials have not disclosed the details and features of the ongoing Zargana Torpedo Countermeasure System project yet.


The tests of Zargana were attended by Pakistani officials, Pakistan Navy representative, and STM Defence officials. (Image Credit: Aselsan)


Zargana system
• Zaragana Submarine Torpedo Countermeasure System ensures submarine survivability against torpedo attacks by quick reaction capabilities, provided with operator controlled autonomous operation and outboard launchers.

• The System comprises of quick reaction capability, adaptable launching cell configuration as per user requirements up to 24 launching cells, single and salvo launching capabilities, high level of redundancy. The system also ensures a bubble-free launching underwater to decrease the chances of submarine detection.

• Zargana system would use the ZOKA acoustic jammers and decoy technology in order to distract the attacking torpedo and put it off-course. The acoustic jammer technology is a standard technology that is commonly used as a counter torpedo method by submarines. It uses high-power acoustic noises to interfere with the navigation system of attacking torpedo.

• Zargana has been described as the first domestically developed submarine torpedo countermeasure system with superior capabilities compared to its counterparts.

Aselsan’s torpedo countermeasure solutions for submarines were introduced with the Zoka advanced acoustic jammers and decoy/Scramblers subsystems. Zoka range of jammers and decoys were delivered to the Indonesian Navy in 2019 and 2020 for the Nagapasa-class submarines.


Zargana Submarine Torpedo Countermeasure System. (Image Credit: Aselsan)


Pakistan Navy’s modernization project

This is the first time that Turkey will be exporting the Zargana system. Aselsan announced the Zargana project in May 2019. The contract is part of the modernization project of Pakistan’s three French-made diesel-electric submarines with the Turkish STM Company as the prime contractor. The project, being undertaken at PN Dockyard in Karachi, includes the replacement of the Fire Control System, Sonar Suite, Electronic Warfare System, Radar, and Periscope System (Navigation and Assault). STM delivered the first upgraded submarine, PNS Hamza, in 2020.

According to Turkey’s STM, within the framework of the modernization project of Pakistan’s submarines, other Turkish defense firms such as HAVELSAN and ASELSAN would also provide their systems.

“Under the project, our company will make modifications on the pressure hull, the most critical structure in a submarine, by carrying out system-to-system and platform-to-system integrations for various systems, to be provided by local and foreign companies,” STM release stated.

In 2016, Turkey’s STM won a $350 million contract for the mid-life upgrade of Pakistan Navy’s three Khalid-class AIP attack submarines, which included the ARES-2SC/P ESM system, periscope systems, new optronic masts, fire control radars as well as new electronic warfare, electronic intelligence, electronic support measure systems, sonar suite, and C2 system.

Pakistan Navy has been on course to acquire an anti-torpedo system since India successfully tested the Supersonic Missile Assisted Release Torpedo or SMART. SMART is a torpedo-containing missile that can be launched both vertically and horizontally from a mobile surface. It can be used to detect and destroy submarine targets. The missile can be launched from both land and water surface and it acts as a supersonic carrier for the torpedo. Upon reaching the target, the missile drops the torpedo into the water where it detects its target through acoustic detection.


Pakistan Navy's Agosta 90B-class submarine. (Image Credit: STM)


Turkey-Pakistan Defense ties

The defense collaboration between Turkey and Pakistan has deepened in recent years. Apart from the ongoing Agosta 90-B MLU project, Turkey is also providing technical assistance to Pakistan Navy in building its new Babur-class corvettes as well as the new Jinnah-class frigates.

Although Turkey-Pakistan defense collaboration is getting stronger in the naval domain, there have been hiccups when it comes to the procurement of aerial technologies. Pakistan recently canceled its order of acquiring Turkey’s T129 ATAK (Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopters) in favor of China’s Z-10ME helicopter. The $1.5 billion order for 30 T129 ATAK helicopters was placed by Pakistan in 2018, however, the deal could not be materialized due to frequent delays, not because of technological incompetency but some political reasons as the United States blocked the sale of engines meant for Pakistani helicopters.

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