KARACHI, Nov 29: The first indigenously-built French-origin Agosta 90-B class submarine “Saad” will be inducted into the navy fleet on Dec 12, sources have said.

The submarine, which is the second of the three such platforms for which Pakistan has entered into a $1 billion deal with France, has undergone intensive tests of state-of-the-art propulsion, depth and weapon system.

The first submarine, “Khalid”, which was built in France, has already joined the navy fleet.

“Saad” has been built at the PN Dockyard under the supervision of French experts.

The third Agosta 90-B “Hamza”, which is expected to be delivered to the navy in 2004, is being constructed by Pakistani technicians.

The construction of Agosta 90-B submarines within the country by Pakistani technicians marked a significant achievement in transfer of advanced technology, which included construction of pressured hull and other on-board systems, sources said.

The country has also acquired three mine hunters from France under a similar agreement. The first one was built in France and two were built indigenously.

Sources said Pakistan was in a position to enter into joint ventures with friendly navies and effort had been going on to find market for capital-intensive defence production sector.

The submarines with their sea launched Exocets and a variety of multipurpose wire guided torpedoes and more than 60 days endurance, could increase the navy’s capability to deny the seas to the enemy, they said. If more surface platforms were added soon, the PN would become a potent force in the region to check domino aspirations of others, they said.

Pakistan first went in for the Agosta type-70 boats in 1978. The navy’s submarine fleet is of French origin. The Daphne class submarines are about 30 years old.

The country is also negotiating similar deals with China for four F22 class frigates to bridge the gap in surface ships.

If the deal was finalized, it would mark a quantum jump in Pakistan’s ability to construct surface and submarine platforms for augmenting its aquatic assets, sources said.