French Special Forces-External Intelligence Directorate (DGSE) "Propulseur Sous-Marins 3rd Generation (PSM3G) for fitting on top of French Barracuda-Suffren Class SSNs and Australian Future Subs (SSKs). (Diagram and further background courtesy H. I. Sutton's Covert Shores).
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"PARIS ― The head of France’s special forces has presented a wish list to lawmakers that includes a modified NH90 helicopter and a mini-submarine to complement the Barracuda nuclear attack submarine."
"Mini-submarine
Naval special forces are “waiting impatiently for entry into
service of the PSM3G in 2018,” he noted. That is a third-generation, propelled
mini-submarine that would work in conjunction with the Barracuda submarine.
That mini-sub would work with the Mistral projection and
command ship as an interim measure, he said. “The PSM3G is a rare and
immediately available capability effective against the famous ‘area-denial’
threat — the special forces have to be able to get close to an enemy coast to
call in a strike,” he said.
The mini-submarine is a relatively large unit, capable of
being launched from the Barracuda while submerged, he explained. “They are
undetected from departure to return from the mission; that is, to say, an
intelligence-gathering mission without being seen, without a signature, without
particular risk and with an impressive efficiency,” he said.
The particularly high-performing mini-submarine, according
to Isnard, would be fully autonomous, run on battery power and have a
navigation system.
...[also significant] The Suffren, the first-of-class Barracuda boat, [laid down 2007!] is due for
delivery in 2019 - a year late."
4 comments:
Unsure how a mini sub with a rather short range can be a viable response to area denial. When we talk about A2AD, it essentially bogs down to China. There is zero chance any French special forces (or any other Special from any country) to survive past a few hours after insertion into China (or even NK). Where French special forces historically operate (in Africa), there is no sea or A2Ad to remotely worry about. Besides, a mini sub can equally be picked up by Chinese sensors and in no time there is a Klub like torpedo coming.
KQN
Hi KQN
Who is arging area-denial (not a mini-sub's job) or insertion into China/Hong Kong? Not me.
A scenario could be:
- A Barracuda mothersub, in say 100m deeper water and say 10 km from the shore, may
- then drop off a PSM3G mini-sub (or can be called a "diver delivery vehicle") to travel the 10 km without exhausting the 4 to 6 divers and some gear (eg. demolition charge(s)),
- then PSM3G drops of the divers in 3m of water, who then swim up to the beach.
Many possible missions in north or central Africa or MIDDLE EAST.
Regards
Pete
Further Scenario:
PSM3G dropped off French SEALs doing initial reconnaissance for freeing hostages from Muslim terrorist camps in Africa or Middle East, etc. Before or in conjunction with French and/or US helicopter assault.
Hi Pete,
How are you?
Hope you are reading my articles.
https://theprint.in/author/colonel-vinayak-bhat/
Remembered you on 26 January.
Keep in touch.
Not for publication.
Regards
Raj47
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