Albacora-class submarine

Albacora-class submarine Ghazi (S-134), former Portuguese Navy Cachalote (S-165)
Class overview
NameAlbacora
BuildersAteliers Dubigeòn-Normándie
Operators
Preceded byNeptuno class
Succeeded byTridente class
In commission1967–2010
Completed4
Retired4
Preserved1
General characteristics
TypeSubmarine
Displacement
  • 860 tons surfaced
  • 1,043 tons submerged
Length57.8 m (189.6 ft)
Beam6.8 m (22.3 ft)
Draught5.2 m (17.1 ft)
Propulsion
  • Diesel-electric, two shafts, 2,450Cv/Hp
  • 2 × SEMT Pielstick (12 PA4 185)
  • 2 × AREVA electric alternate
Speed
  • Submerged: 16 knots (30 km/h)
  • Surfaced: 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h)
RangeSurfaced: 2,700 nmi (5,000 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Complement54
Armament12 × 21.7 in (551 mm) DaphneTT-550 torpedo tubes (8 bow, 4 stern), 12 torpedoes

The Albacora class was a diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK) developed for the Portuguese Navy based on the French Daphné class.

In 1964, the Portuguese government ordered the construction of four of this class at the Dubigeòn-Normándie Shipyard to create the 4th Submarine Flotilla.

With the first submarine commissioned on 1 October 1967, the Portuguese Navy started to have a submarine able to operate in both coastal and oceanic zones, especially in the Portuguese exclusive economic zone.

The last Albacora-class submarine in service, NRP Barracuda, made its final mission in 2010. The class was replaced by two Type 209PN/Type 214PN submarines.