"NATO Photo Reveals Secret Submarine Capability" Topic

…On An Italian Sub.

"NATO's Dynamic Manta exercise kicked off in the Mediterranean in February. One of the photographs released, of an Italian submarine, shows something particularly interesting. It is not obvious to the untrained eye, but on its back are 9 grey blocks. These tell us something about the submarine's covert mission capability. They are attachments for one of the Italian Navy's most differentiating capabilities: special forces mini-subs. The Italian Navy is very secretive about these capabilities, so a certain amount of informed guesswork is needed…"

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Amicalement
Armand

No hatch at that area, so it looks like the crew have to ride it out in the mini-sub. Or transfer via diving, or by surfacing, which kind of defeats the purpose (surfacing I mean).

For short runs to Libya or the Balkan coast (or, who knows, Monaco, in case they have to insert the Italian counterpart to James Bond for some secret mission at the baccarat table), it's probably fine.

Later submarine designs will probably integrate the two vessels, with a dedicated hatch, or even internal stowage of the mini-sub.

Not really a problem to swim out of the sub, and then get into the mini-subs, when needed, or vice versa, I suspect.

Agree.

Amicalement
Armand