SMX-23 Andrasta - 2006

Length	49 m
Surface displacement	855 metric tons
Speed when submerged	> 15 knots
Submerged endurance	5 days
Depth of immersion	> 200 m
Operational distance	> 3000 nautical miles
Crew	19 members

In the 2006 European naval exhibition, the French DCN exhibited two diesel-electric submarine designs. The first was the 2000 ton-level Marin (Marlin), a further development of Scorpio type. The second was the SMX-23 , a specialized type for shallow water operations. The SMX-23 concept came from the experience of the SMX-22, which had a variety of different configurations. DCN noted that SMX-22 customers were more interested in small versions because for the shallow shore missions. The performance of small submarines was enough to use, and the purchase and operating costs were much cheaper.

The reality of the economic downturn made the majority of countries unable to pursue more advanced and powerful designs. They must focus on inexpensive designs, to meet the most basic coastal defense needs. DCN believed that in the international market, the typical diesel attack submarine prices are quite expensive. The economic situation makes countries unable to buy enough quantity. For Malaysia and Chile, for example, the two countries can only buy two Scorpio type; but with such a submarine force scale, it is difficult to effectively assume a naval defense. Therefore, DCN changed the previous SMX-21/22 epoch-making revolutionary concept, instead of targeting the low-level "national submarine" market SMX-23.

ARMARIS offered a new low-cost coastal SSK concept, called the SMX-23 Andrasta, designed for safe, precise navigation in shallow waters and for missions ranging from special operations to intelligence gathering and mine-laying. A direct descendant of the Scorpene, this class offers stealth, agility and power. SMX-23 is a small stealthy coastal submarine, combining powerful sensors and weapons to counter surface and underwater threats. It is "ideal" for first time buyers.

According to Jean Gauthier, naval architect within DCN's submarine design department, SMX-23 has been conceived "to address a perceived market requirement for a robust, affordable and supportable submarine, capable of performing a range of littoral defence missions. It is clear to us that while many navies are attracted to the advantages offered by conventional submarines (SSKs) in the 1,400 to 1,800-ton displacement range, not all have the financial or technical resources to operate boats of such cost and complexity".

Designed for all types of navies - irrespective of whether they want to develop a submarine capacity or reinforce existing resources with a product of unrivaled quality in coastal operations - the Andrasta creates a new category in the panorama of conventional submarines. Specifically optimized to operate in coastal waters, the theater of operations of the future, the Andrasta-class submarine nevertheless remains a formidable adversary in deep waters. Its great similarity with the Scorpène-class submarine makes it a modern, risk-free design. Capable of carrying out most of the missions traditionally entrusted to conventional submarines, the Andrasta deters all potential aggressors from operating in the coastal waters under its surveillance.

Capable of most of the missions traditionally assigned to a conventional submarine, Andrasta deters any potential aggressor to come and operate in coastal waters where it stands guard. This class of submarine proves to be particularly suited to carrying out special operations or information-gathering assignments, missions of vital importance even in times of peace. Its new-generation combat system, and its ability to make use of heavyweight weapon systems such as torpedoes or missiles, make it a formidable weapon in its own right. Drawing massively on the solutions tried and tested on the Scorpène, the coherence of the architectural choices with the missions entrusted to it make it a product offering a reduced cost of acquisition and ownership.