CS O'Higgins (SS23)

The Story of CS O'Higgins (SS23)

CS O'Higgins (SS23) is one of two Scorpene-class diesel-electric attack submarines deployed by the Chilean state (the other being CS General Carrera SS22, described elsewhere on this site). O'Higgins was laid on November 18, 1999 and launched on November 3, 2003. She was formally incorporated into the Chilean Navy on September 8, 2005, and is stationed outside Talcahuano.

Two ships were ordered by the service to replace two outgoing Oberon-class submarines.

The Scorpene class is a group of ships jointly developed by engineers in France (DCN) and Spain (Navantia, now DCNS), mainly for export sales. As a result, the ships were purchased by several foreign countries, including Brazil, Chile, Malaysia, and India, to provide modern underwater attack capabilities that augment the navy's existing capabilities. Nineteen ships were originally planned for the group, but four have been cancelled and five have been completed.

Another seven are scheduled to be operational between 2016 and 2021.

Courses show varying lengths between 200 feet and 230 feet. The beam and draft are constant at 20 feet and 18 feet, respectively. Propulsion is provided by the in-game Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) diesel-electric unit, capable of a top speed of 20 knots and a range of up to 6,500 nautical miles. Crew and ships can be submerged and left home port for more than a month before needing refueling and supplies.

The typical crew size is only 31 people. The ship has a displacement of 1,725 ??tons (short).

In terms of armament, the class is equipped with 6 x 533 mm (21") torpedo launchers on the bow. Each ship can carry up to 18 reloads and can also fire French anti-ship SM. 39 Exocet missiles or at Up to 30 mines are deployed in disputed waters.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Wing