Egyption Romeo-class
Submarine Upgrade
Egypt has recently completed an upgrade of its submarine fleet, Chinese-built copies of Russian 1950s-era Romeo class diesel submarines. Under the third edition Harpoon rules, the differences between an original-built Russian boat and Egyptian sub would have been the new sonar and the better torpedoes allowed by its upgraded fire control system. Now, using the fourth edition rules, we can show more of the improvements: The improved acoustic countermeasures, AIR and ESM suite, and the capabilities of the fire control system. A Russian Project 633-class sub, equipped with an Analog fire control system, could track at most two targets, and could control at most one wire-guided torpedo, although the Romeos did not carry any wire-guided weapons. Subs can only fire at targets held by the sub's fire control system, and fire control solutions based on passive sonar (TMA or Target Motion Analysis) also require tracking by the sub's FC system. The refitted Egyptian boats have a Federated Digital file control system, which can track eight targets and control two wire-guided torpedoes at once.
| In Russian Service | |
| Romeo | SS |
| Displacement: 1712 subm | In class: [22] |
| Acoustic Counterm: None | In Service: 1958 |
| Electronic Counterm: None | ESM/AIR: 1st/1st Gen |
| Propulsion: Diesel-Electric | Crew: 55 |
| Size Class: Small | Signature: Small/Quiet |
| Max Depth: Int III | Btry Rtng: 75 |
| Weapons: | ROF |
| PB&SB(3)2 533mm TT w/10 see remarks | F |
| PQ&SQ(2)1 533mm TT w/4 see remarks | F |
| Sensors: | |
| GAS-372 Hercules [Wolf Paw] | M |
| Snoop Plate | J |
| Remarks: | |
| Project 663. Analog FCS. TT can fire Type 53-61, SAET-60, later Type 53-56, SAET-60M. Medium-range submarine. Several used as test platforms for weapons and sensors. All units removed from Soviet service by 1994 | |
| Damage and Speed Breakdown | ||||||
| Dam Pts: | 0 | 8 | 17 | 25 | 30 | 33 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surf Speed: | 15 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 0 | Sinks |
| Subm Speed: | 13 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | Sinks |
| In Egyption Service | |
| PRC Romeo | SS |
| Displacement: 1712 subm | In class: 4 |
| Acoustic Counterm: 2nd Gen | In Service: 1984 |
| Electronic Counterm: None | ESM/AIR: 2nd/2nd Gen |
| Propulsion: Diesel-Electric | Crew: 55 |
| Size Class: Small | Signature: Small/Quiet |
| Max Depth: Int III | Btry Rtng: 75 |
| Weapons: | ROF |
| PB&SB(3)2 533mm TT w/10 see remarks | F/USA |
| PQ&SQ(2)1 533mm TT w/4 see remarks | F/USA |
| Sensors: | |
| GAS-372 Hercules [Wolf Paw] | M/FRG |
| Snoop Plate | J/Russia |
| Remarks: | Purchased from PRC. Endurance 45 days. Refitted 1990-1995 with US weapons and fire control systems. Previously carried 53VA torp fore and aft. Normal 533mm loadout after refit is 6 NT37F, 4 Harpoon forward and 4 NT37F aft. Additional six Soviet-build units discarded. Federated Digital FCS. |
| Damage and Speed Breakdown | ||||||
| Dam Pts: | 0 | 8 | 17 | 25 | 30 | 33 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surf Speed: | 15 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 0 | Sinks |
| Subm Speed: | 13 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | Sinks |
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© Copyright 1996 by Clash of Arms.
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