The nine-metre-long black submarine is produced by Emirates Marine Technologies (EMT), a joint venture in which the local Bin Jaber Group controls 51 per cent.
It is built by EMT at the UAE Navy's shipyards in Abu Dhabi and the submarine has already been supplied to the naval forces under a contract signed between the two sides.
"Only a few countries in the world manufacture submarines and the UAE is now one of them," said Jean Louis Thivolle, EMT's electronics director.
Dozens of Class 5 long-range submarines have already been manufactured under strict supervision and in coordination with the UAE navy.
EMT has not exported Class 5 submarines to the GCC or other countries but said it was willing to do so if the contract is approved by the UAE army.
"The purchase of our submarines by the UAE navy is a great step forward for our production....it is also very important for the UAE's defence industry and capability and for the naval forces as it meets all their needs and specifications," Thivolle said.
"It is a highly advanced submarine and employs the latest in naval technology...it is used for special operations and can accommodate two crew members...but in future, we could make some improvements or upgrade the current version depending on demand."
EMT is the second major naval venture in the UAE after the Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding Company (ADSC), which was created several years ago as a joint offset venture between the UAE and Newport News of the United States, which has sold its share.
ADSC has built several patrol boats and other vessels for the UAE navy at its Musaffah shipyard.
The UAE naval forces have been involved in a major programme to bolster their capability through the purchase of frigates, patrol boats and other vessels. The programme is part of overall plans by the UAE to beef up its defence potential.
"The Class 5 submarine is 100 per cent UAE technology...we do not copy or import equipment from abroad..it is a fully home-made product," Thivolle said.
The 3.5-tonne submarine has an operational depth of 30 metres and could reach a maximum 50 metres while it has a maximum speed of seven knots.
The company said its contracts for the supply of Class 5 include a technical and maintenance basic training period.
"This ground course aims at completely familiarising the user with the setting up and maintenance of this specific vehicle...extended operational training programmes can be arranged according to customers' specific needs...they aim at training pilots and navigators in the operational procedures."
