SX-404-class submarine

The SX-404-class submarine,[1] was a class of midget submarines produced by the Italian firm Cos.Mo.S.

SX-404-class submarine
Class overview
Builders: Cos.Mo.S in Livorno, Italy
Operators:  Pakistan Navy  Republic of China Navy  Colombian National Navy
Succeeded by: Cosmos class
Built: 1966–72
In commission: 1972–1993
On order: 10
Completed: 10
Lost: 1
Scrapped: 4
Preserved: 1
General characteristics
Type: SDV/Midget submarine
Displacement: 41 t (40 long tons; 45 short tons)
Length: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Beam: 2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Propulsion: Diesel-electric
Speed:
  • Surfaced: 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
  • Submerged: 6 knots (11 km/h; 6.9 mph)
Range: 1,200 miles (1,900 km)
Endurance: 14 days
Test depth: 100 m (328 ft)
Complement: 16, (4 operations, 3 SEAL Teams)

Overview

The 70-ton SX-404 can carry two Cosmos CE2F series swimmer delivery vehicles externally.[2]

Pakistan

In 1965, the Pakistan Navy was given authorization by the Ministry of Defense to award the contract to the Italian shipbuilding company, the Cos.Mo.S., designed the SX-404-class midget submarine for the purposes of the diver propulsion vehicle in 1965.:108[3] The SX-404 submarine program had a strong preference over the Hangor-class submarine that was being built in France but there were severe problems encountered when the torpedo required according to the Pakistan Navy's standard could not be compatible with the SX-404 design.:108[3]:154–155[4]

The SX-404 class were some of the smallest submarines in the world at the time, but could still carry twelve passengers, making them invaluable for raids and reconnaissance in shallow water.[5]

The SX-404-class submarines were intended to be use as the diver propulsion vehicle for the SEAL Teams in the Navy Special Service Group, and were delivered in September of 1971 but there were problems encountered providing the cover for the Hangor-class submarines (the motherships) continued until these problems were resolved in December of 1971.:108[3]

Between the 1972–73, Pakistan Navy commissioned six more SX-404-class submarine that was bought from the Italian shipbuilding company, the Cosmos Spa., with their main function of transporting a twelve Navy SEAL Team members on a reconnaissance missions.:92[6] In 1976, there was one submarine that was lost in an accident while two were decommissioned for scrap metals in 1982–83.:92[6]

The entire program of SX-404-class submarines were eventually phased out and decommissioned from her military service with the Navy in 1990 with the remaining three submarines– two were sold for scrap metal while one was preserved at the Navy Museum in Karachi, Sindh in Pakistan.:158[7] The SX-404-class submarine program was phased out with the development of the Cosmos-class submarine in 1990.:92[6]

Republic of China

Taiwan ordered two SX-404s and they were delivered in the mid-1960s. They were retired in 1973 when larger ex-USN submarines became available.[2]

References
  1. "Submarine Force". www.paknavy.gov.pk. Navy ISPR. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  2. Sutton, H I. "Taiwanese 130 ton Special Forces midget submarine design". www.hisutton.com. Covert Shores. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  3. Hiranandani, G. M. (2000). "(§Pakistan Navy's Underwater Forces Program)". Transition to Triumph: History of the Indian Navy, 1965-1975 (google books). New Delhi, India: Lancer Publishers. p. 400. ISBN 9781897829721. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  4. Singh, Kunwar Rajendra; Analyses, Institute for Defence Studies and (2002). Navies of South Asia. Rupa & Co. published under the auspices of Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. p. 459. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  5. Moore, John E, ed. (1974). Jane's Fighting Ships. London: Jane's Yearbooks. p. 250. ISBN 0354005065.
  6. Thornton, W. M. (1996). Submarine Insignia and Submarine Services of the World. Pen and Sword. p. 155. ISBN 9780850525366. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  7. Inc, IBP (2009). Pakistan Intelligence, Security Activities and Operations Handbook - Strategic Information and Developments. Lulu.com. p. 250. ISBN 9781438737225. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
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