noisy small and under equipped ?
you better refresh your links...
look at the last one => the scorpene
one of the 3 best (I didn't said THE best even if I was close to
) diesel/electric/AIP submarine of the world
http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/scorpene/
http://www.dcn.fr/us/produits/sous_marin_attaque.html#3
Able to fire old torpedo, present or futures ones (like black shark)
And MESMA AIP system is the most silenced AIP system of the world with the HDW.
The scorpene is faster, deeper, more silenced and had better sensor than any KILO ever had. He also can stand 4 times longer under water. With top technology aboard (look at combat system)
Finally, do you know THE country, in the world, who actually have a great experience AND production capabilities on nuclear AND conventionnal submarines ?
Russian had, but they don't have any more money for research, development and production ... just look at their fleet at this time ...
Only France, in the world, are in the top on both area.
lets talk about SSBN now : what country have the most modern and silenced SSBN ? France, with the latest SNLE Le Triomphant class =>
http://www.dcn.fr/us/produits/sous_marin_nucleaire.html
much more modern than the Ohio class.
We have 3 and we will have 5, for a complete and realistic nuclear dissuasion with the most modern and silenced SSBN of the world.
Of course you can argue (with reason) nuclear dissuasion in not a priority now, but this is another problem.
The fact is we have the best SSBN of the world, because it's simply the most modern and stealthy one.
Concerning the SSN, it is true our Amethyste class are quite old now, even with upgrade, and not at the top of the list of SSN.
688i, Seawolf, Akula are above this level.
but the Amethyste come in third position, with the Trafalgar, FAR above the chineese SSN, and the next generation of french SSN, Barracuda class, will be close to the standard of a virginia class ...
=>
http://www.dcn.fr/us/produits/sous_marin_attaque.html#1
The main thing we miss, is an ADCAP/65cm equivalent torpedo, with long range and high capabilities.
But it's not so bad when you think french is 1/5 of the population of the US and spend the 1/4 per people that american do for defense (this give us a defense budget of 1/20 of the american one).
And on this stuff, we are making ALL alone (french development and production), from the sub to the missiles, by the sensor and electronics.
So we have actually the most stealthy SSBN of the world, one of the best diesel/electric (only for export because we just use nukes on our navy) and we will have soon (2008) one of the best SSN, of the next generation
It's not because Sonalysts choose to make the Amethyste the most louder sub of the game it is like this in the real world.
France are the 3rd nation in nukes submarine, behind 2 giants, and could come to the second place in some times.
And France is also one of the best nation in production of top technology diesel/electric.
noisy small and under equipped ?
I think you really better refresh your links, Kapitain ...
