|
M-100s (1983
- Yugoslavia)
from Covert ASHores Maval Warfare Blog
Small submarine operations in the former Yugoslav
Navy (JRM) were a part of the SFRY's (Tito's Yugoslavia, the Socialist
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) defensive partisan warfare doctrine, which
was intended to deter both the west and the Warsaw Pact from invading,
and failing deterrence, to combat one or both opponents using partisan
and guerrilla tactics. Following the collapse of the SFRY, the FRY consisting
of Serbia and Montenegro carried this doctrine forward in the RMVJ (Navy
of the Yugoslav Army, the SFRY's naval force). Under the doctrine
of "Total National Defense," the conventional submarine force constituted
part of the country's initial line of defenses, while the midget submarines,
known as "sabotage submarines" in Yugoslav terminology performed a diversionary
role, laying offensive and defensive minefields, striking enemy forces
in port, and at anchored invasion forces once a beachhead had been established.
A discussion of Yugoslav defensive naval doctrine will form the basis of
a separate post.
Although the JRM had experience operating a former
Italian CB-class midget submarine in the 1950s, the requirement to build
a small "sabotage" submarine was only established in 1977. During
the early 70's, while the B-71 and B-72 (Heroj and the Sava) programs still
were still underway, development of small submarines suitable for operation
in the area of about two-thirds of the surface of the Adriatic Sea north
of a line from Molat Island to Ancona in depths of less than 150 meters
was discussed. Operation of large submarines along the coastal shelf
on the Italian side of the Adriatic, some 10-20 nm wide, with depths of
less than 20 meters was out of the question. Operations there would necessitate
development of midget submarines for the JRM.
The first preliminary analysis of a small torpedo-attack submarine type M-100 and a small sabotage submarine-type M-40 was conducted in 1974. This studied a requirement for a submarine that could transport, disembark and re-embark underwater demolitions teams and their equipment, lay offensive and defensive minefields, have the capability of carrying two torpedoes, and collect tactical intelligence. While larger submarines could be and were used for such operations in the JRM, operational experience pointed out the greater suitability for small or midget submarines in this role, which led to the establishment of a 100-ton upper limit for design displacement, and gave the class its designation of "M-100." It should also be pointed out that the term "sabotage submarine" did not imply "submarine sabotage," which in the Yugoslav context meant "saboteurs" inserted individually or as a team into the immediate area of operations upon exit from the submarine, and which more normally implied "wet" submarines, i.e., swimmer delivery vehicles such as the R-1 and R-2. Design specification requirements included: Shallow water (10-15 meters) maneuvering capability Maximum diving depth 150 meters at a 4kt speed, with 80% battery expenditure Working depth of 90 meters Good habitability sufficient for 48 hours autonomy Maximum underwater speed of 6-7kts Good controllability and maneuverability at speed of only 1kt Tests conducted on P-911 indicated the design met all requirements, with the overall class technical specifications resulting as follows: Length: 19.52 m
Range of navigation with 80% of Battery Expenditure: at 6.4 knots and external attachments (R-1,
etc) : 106 nm
Autonomy: with full crew (6 people): 160 hours
Sabotage resources:
Armament: Mines: AIM - M 70 or AIM - M 70/1: 4 pcs.
The M-100s were assigned to the 88th Submarine
Brigade, but supported the 82nd Maritime Center, stationed at Kumbor in
Boka Kotorska, Montenegro. In operational practice, they proved to be an
extremely quiet and likely very effective design. Yugoslav sources claim
that no M-100 was ever detected during an operation, nor even on a "friendly"
training exercise with JRM forces. During initial testing, P-911 repeatedly
crossed the hydrophone line at the entrance to Lora inlet, where the main
JRM base was located at Pula. At no time was the boat detected by the hydrophone
array. It is also reported that while conducting a patrol 30 nautical miles
out from the Montenegrin coast just before the Allied bombing campaign
of 1999, P-913 encountered a NATO submarine. Remaining behind at a distance
of 100 meters, the "uninvited guest" reportedly failed to detect the midget.
If this incident is true, and we have no reason to doubt its author, this
represented a significant vulnerability on NATO's part, or a significant
strength on the part of the RMVJ, depending on one's point of view.
As built, the M-100s were powered solely by batteries with no on-board
recharging capability. P-914, which had been left behind in Split upon
Croatia's secession from Yugoslavia, was rebuilt and lengthened approximately
one meter to incorporate a diesel generator. P-914 was renamed Velebit
(P-01) upon recommissioning into the Croatian Navy, serving until 2006.
Some confusion among outside observers has arisen concerning the presence
or absence of sails/conning towers on these boats. Local writers comment
that these "sails" are actually removable plastic units, which serve as
crew protection, and were most often used only in port. The exception to
this is Velebit, which after its modifications, appears to have retained
the sail permanently. As a class, the M-100s have fared well, with all
but one surviving the scrapper's torch, being donated to museums around
the former Yugoslavia.
Fates of the P-911s are shown below:
(ex-Yugoslav former submarines) Association |
Return to index |