The Dubai government-owned Palm Submarine plans to start commercial production of submarines by mid-2005 with an eye on the Gulf and Asian markets, the company's top official said.
"Currently we have working prototypes that have been tested, but once we start commercial production after April this year, we plan to market our submersibles," Sanil Mohammad Subair, Chief Executive of Palm Submarine, told Gulf News yesterday.
After acquiring the US-based Seahorse Marine and making an initial investment of $10 million (Dh36.7 million) in a facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Palm Submarine is upbeat about prospects.
"As the first submarine makers in this region, we will be producing the full range of submarines leisure, commercial and military.
"Also, with the water-front developments in Dubai we expect high demand for our submersibles," he said.
The compact one or two person Stingray submarine displayed at Idex is ideal for port security, hull inspection and search missions while the Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDV) can accommodate two to six and eight divers for missions requiring stealth and speed.
"The starship displayed at Idex is the 20-metre long intruder submersible patrol vessel (SPV) that is configured for up to 10 swimmers and six crew with a top surface speed of 25 knots."
Initial production plans include building some 1,000 Stingrays and 100 SPVs over the next five years. "We can make up to 9 different types of submarines with technology from the US company owned by former French naval commander Herve Jaubert and now relocated to Dubai."
Gulf News
