Turkey, Pakistan extend submarine modernization pact

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey and Pakistan have signed an agreement to modernize submarines, it was announced Friday.

Turkey's defense technology company STM and Pakistan's Ministry of Defense Production signed the agreement to expand capabilities of Pakistan's Agosta 90B submarines.

The bid for the submarine modernization tender was won by STM in June 2016 against the submarines' French manufacturers.

Pakistan's ministry has found STM technically and commercially superior, the Turkish firm said in a statement.

Within the scope of the agreement, the STM will modernize four submarines.

STM also tweeted on Friday: "Capabilities of Pakistan Agosta90B submarines to be enhanced by the main contractor STM through an amendment signed on March 8."

STM was established in 1991 for providing technical support and consultancy to the Turkish Armed Forces and Presidency of Defense Industries.