Based at Karachi, the Pakistan Navy operates a fleet of five diesel-electric submarines and three MG110 mini submarines. [1] Pakistan views its submarine force as necessary to maintain its "credible minimum deterrence" posture. [2]
Capabilities at a Glance
Total Submarines in Fleet: 8
- Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs): 0
- Nuclear-Powered attack submarines (SSNs): 0
- Diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs): 5
- Mini Submarines (SSMs): 3
- Air-independent propulsion (AIP) enabled: 3/8
Submarines
History
In 1964, Pakistan purchased its first submarine, PNS Ghazi, from the United States. Between December 1969 and August 1970, the Pakistan Navy acquired three Daphne-class submarines from France. [3] After losing the PNS Ghazi in the 1971 war with India, the Pakistan Navy purchased a second-hand Daphne-class vessel from Portugal in 1975. [4] In 1978, the Pakistan Navy acquired two Agosta-70-class submarines that were originally intended for the South African Navy. [5] In 1994, Pakistan procured three Agosta-90B boats from France's Naval Group SA. [6] In the early 2000s, the Pakistan Navy considered an additional purchase from DCNS, but abandoned it due to budgetary constraints. [7]
In 1988, Pakistan purchased the first of their three Cosmo-class MG110 miniature submarines from Italy. [8] These vessels were intended to replace the SX404 mini-submarines that the Pakistan Navy deployed in the 1971 war against India. The Cosmo-class mini submarines are equipped for mine laying, coastal defense, and special forces operation. [9]
Modernization and Current Capabilities
The current fleet primarily consists of two Agosta-70 boats (Hashmat-class) and three modern Agosta-90B (Khalid-class) submarines, all of French design. Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) indigenously constructed Pakistan’s third Agosta-90B submarine PNS Hamza (S139) and commissioned it on 26 September 2008. [10] The PNS Hamza features French company Naval Group’s MESMA (Module d'EnergieSous-Marin Autonome) air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, making it the first conventional submarine built in South Asia to feature AIP propulsion. [11] In 2011, Pakistan retrofit the two earlier Agosta-90B vessels with MESMA during overhauls. [12]
In 2015, Pakistan announced a five billion USD agreement with China to purchase eight attack submarines—likely Type 039 or Type 041 Yuan-class vessels. KSEW will construct four of these submarines in Pakistan while the China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC) will build the remaining four in China. In 2016, Pakistan finalized the deal and its long-term loan with China to finance the deal. The first four vessels are slated for delivery by the end of 2023. [13]
In 2003, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Shahid Karimullah stated that Pakistan had no intentions to arm its submarines with nuclear warheads unless it felt threatened by India. [14] In January 2017, less than a month after India launched its Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile (ICMB), Pakistan successfully test-fired its first nuclear-capable submarine-launched cruise missile. [15]
While most of Pakistan’s submarines are based at the Karachi Naval Dockyard, naval officials announced in 2014 that the submarines could be dispersed to the Jinnah Naval Base in Ormara. [16]
Ship Biographies
Hashmat-Class
Pakistan operates two Hashmat-class submarines. Their design is based on the French Agosta-class submarines. These vessels are 76 meters long with a 6-meter-wide beam and can travel up to 20.5 knots when submerged. Their weapons systems are capable of firing torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
Khalid-Class
Pakistan operates three Khalid-class submarines, sometimes also called Agosta90B-class. Their design is based on the improved version of French Agosta-class submarines which includes modifications for a lower acoustic signature, improved battery range and performance, and increased diving depth. These vessels are 67.6 meters long with a 6.8-meter-wide beam and can travel up to 20 knots when submerged. Their weapons system is capable of firing torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. [17]
Import and Export Behavior
Imports
Pakistan has imported a majority of its submarine fleet from countries from the U.S., France, and China. In 1964, Pakistan imported the PNS Ghazi from the U.S. Then, in 1969-1970, Pakistan obtained three Daphne-class vessels (PNS Hangor, Shushuk, and Magro) from France. All of Pakistan’s Agosta-class submarines were either constructed by French company Naval Group or by indigenous shipbuilders with technology transfers from France. [18] Most recently, Pakistan has signed an agreement with China for eight attack submarines.
Exports
Pakistan's Karachi Ship and Engineering Works (KSEW) received extensive technology transfers from Naval Group SA for the development of the Khalid-class (Agosta 90B) submarine program. While Pakistan’s licensing agreement with France enables it to export domestically produced Agosta 90B vessels, it has yet to complete any sales. [19]
Pakistan modernized the Karachi Naval Dockyard in order to facilitate the assembly and construction of the PNS Hamza (S139), its first indigenously-built submarine. [20] Additionally, while Saudi Arabia and Malaysia were reportedly interested in a Pakistani sale, both countries eventually purchased vessels from Naval Group instead. [21]
Sources:
[1] "Submarine Force," Pakistan Navy, www.paknavy.gov.pk; "Chapter Seven: Central and South Asia Caribbean and Latin America," The Military Balance 2009, International Institute of Strategic Studies, Routledge, 2009.
[2] "Pakistan to retain minimum nuclear deterrence, PM says," The News, 7 January 2003, in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
[3] "PN Dimensions: Submarine Force," Pakistan Navy, accessed 5 August 2019, www.paknavy.gov.pk.
[4] "The Fleet: Submarines," Pakistan Navy, http://paknavy.gov.pk.
[5] Jacques Isnard, "A Navy to a large extent under France's wing," Le Monde, 9 May 2002, www.lemonde.fr; "S 135 Hashmat class," Periscope USNI Military Database, www.periscope1.com; "PN Dimensions: Submarine Force," Pakistan Navy, accessed 5 August 2019, www.paknavy.gov.pk.
[6] "Pakistan navy inducts new submarine," Associated Press of Pakistan, 27 September 2008, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, www.lexis-nexis.com.
[7] "How Paris lost the Pakistani Market; Arms Sales," Intelligence Online, 17 March 2011, www.lexisnexis.com; "Pak to Buy Three Submarines from Germany," Asian News International, 3 December 2008, www.lexisnexis.com; "Germany Negotiating Sale of Submarines with Pakistan," BBC Monitoring Europe – Political, 13 July 2009, www.lexisnexis.com; "France, Germany Vie to Sell Submarines to Pakistan," South Asian Media Network, 23 July 2009, www.lexisnexis.com.
[8] “Cosmos Class MG110,” Global Security, accessed 20 November 2017, www.globalsecurity.org.
[9] Bilal Khan, "Pakistan Proceeds with New Miniature Submarine Program," Quwa Defense News & Analysis Group, 23 May 2017, https://quwa.org; “Cosmos Class MG110,” Global Security, accessed: 20 November 2017, www.globalsecurity.org.
[10] The Royal Institute of Naval Architects, Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works, www.rina.org.uk; "Pakistan navy inducts new submarine," Associated Press of Pakistan, 27 September 2008; "India submarine 'threatens peace,'" BBC News, 28 July 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk; "Pakistan on verge of selecting HDW submarine," Jane's Defence Weekly, 2 December 2008, www.janes.com.
[11] Feroz Hassan Khan, "Pakistan's Perspective on the Global Elimination of Nuclear Weapons," Report prepared for the Henry L. Stimson Center, April 2009; "Agosta Class," Jane's Underwater Warfare Systems, 25 September 2009; "MESMA," Direction des Constructions Navales Services, September 2008, www.dcnsgroup.com.
[12] "Agosta: Pakistan's Tailor-Made Transfer of Technology," DCNS, October 2010, http://en.dcnsgroup.com; Tim Fish, "DCNS to Provide AIP for Second Pakistani Sub," Jane's Defence Weekly, 5 May 2010, www.lexisnexis.com.
[13] Franz-Stefan Gady, "China to Supply Pakistan with 8 New Stealth Attack Submarines by 2028," The Diplomat, 30 August 2016, https://thediplomat.com.
[14] "Pakistan navy chief denies plan to equip submarines with nuclear warheads," The News, 26 January 2003; in Lexis-Nexis, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.
[15] Pakistan Army, “Press Release – Rawalpindi – January 9 2017,” Pakistan Ministry of Defense, 9 January 2017, www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk; Joshua Berlinger, “South Asia's nuclear one-upmanship ramps up with Pakistan missile test,” CNN, 10 January 2017, www.cnn.com.
[16] Ridzwan Rahmat, “Pakistan Navy to shift submarines from Karachi to Ormara,” IHS Jane’s Navy International, 23 April 2014.
[17] "Agosta-90B," Forecast International, July 2009, www.forecastinternational.com.
[18] "PN Dimensions: Submarine Force," Pakistan Navy, accessed 5 August 2019, www.paknavy.gov.pk.
[19] Kaleem Omar, "Arms export drive begins to bear fruit," The News, 12 February 2001, p. 13; Nasir Jaffry, "2nd Agosta to be ready for trial soon," The Statesman, 16 February 2002, www.thestatesman.net.
[20] "Pakistan commissions AIP-equipped Agosta," Jane's Defence Weekly, 8 October 2008, www.janes.com.
[21] "Saudi Arabia, Malaysia Interested in Buying Aircraft, Submarines from Pakistan," Jang, 18 November 2000, www.jang.com.pk; Michael Dumiak, "Lurking in the Littorals: Diesel-electric subs gain range and lethality," Defense Technology International, May 2007, pp. 24-27.
