Pakistan Navy
Encyclopedia : P : PA : PAK : Pakistan Navy
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| Military manpower | ||
| Military age | 16 years of age | |
| Availability | 39,028,014 (2005) | |
| Males ages | 16-49 | |
| Reaching military age | males: 1,969,055 (2005) | |
| Active troops | Ranked 7th) | |
| Military expenditures | ||
| Dollar figure | .848 billion (2004) | |
| Percent of GDP | 4.9% (2004) | |
| Pakistan Armed Forces | ||
| Pakistan Army |
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| Pakistan Air Force |
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| Pakistan Navy |
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| Pakistan Coast Guard | ||
| Personnel | ||
| Military history | ||
| Military history of Pakistan | ||
| Related topics | ||
| Weapons of mass destruction | ||
| Nishan-E-Haider | ||
| Special Service Group | ||
| Inter-Services Intelligence | ||
Pakistan Navy (Urdu: پاک بحریہ) is the naval wing of the Pakistan military. Though not as significant as their other military divisions, it does play a vital role given the regional rivalry with India.
History
1947-1956
The birth of the Royal Pakistan Navy came with the creation of Pakistan on 14 August 1947. The Armed Forces Reconstitution Committee (AFRC) divided the Royal Indian Navy between both countries India and Pakistan. The Pakistan Navy secured two sloops, two frigates, four minesweepers, two trawlers, four harbor launches and some 3580 personnel (180 officers and 3400 ratings) and given the high percentage of delta areas on the Pakistan coast the Navy was given a number of Harbor Defense Motor Launches. The Royal Pakistan Navy saw no major action during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 as most of the fighting was done on land.1956-1965
In 1956 the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was proclaimed under the 1956 constitution. The prefix `Royal’ was dropped and the service re-designated as Pakistan Navy short title PN. PN Jack and Pakistan flag replaced the Queen’s color and the white ensign respectively. The order of precedence of the three services changed from Navy, Army, Air force to Army, Navy, Air Force.In February 1956, the British government announced supplying of several major surface combatants to Pakistan. These Warships, a cruiser and four destroyers were purchased with funds made available under the US Military Assistance Program. The acquisition of a few additional warships that is two destroyers, eight coastal minesweepers and an oiler (between 1956-63) was the direct result of Pakistan's participation in the anti-Communist defence pacts of SEATO and CENTO.
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 that the navy was involved in a conflict for the first time. However, apart from carrying out a bombardment of the coastal town of Dwaraka - codenamed Operation Dwarka - there was no significant action.
1965-1979
The Navy's role changed in Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 when the military was caught in the thick of the battle. With East Pakistan having been surrounded on all three sides by the Indian Army, the Navy was under immense pressure to protect the coast. Despite the isolated incidents including the sinking of an Indian frigate INS Khukri by the submarine PNS Hangor, the Navy was largely overrun. The major threat from the much dreaded PNS Ghazi - the only long range submarine - was nullified when it sank in the Bay of Bengal thus enabling an easy blockade on East Pakistan. The damage inflicted by both Indian Navy and Indian Air Force on Pakistan Navy stood at 6 Gunboats, one submarine, a minesweeper, a Destroyer, 3 patrol crafts belonging to the coast guard, 18 supply and communication vessels, with some more crafts damaged - including friendly fire. The total number of personnel losses came to about 1900 and 1413 servicemen were captured by Indian forces in Dhaka(Official Pakistan losses). In contrast the Indian Navy lost 212 personnel, a frigate (another frigate damaged) and a naval plane Breguet Alizé to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The eastern wing of Pakistan Navy was totally obliterated and following the capitulation of PAF and the surrender by A.A.K.Niazi the war ended in a swift defeat for Pakistan. The primary reason for this loss has been attributed to the central command's failure in defining a role for the Navy - or the military in general, in East Pakistan. Since then the Navy has sought to improve the structure and fleet by putting special emphasis on sub-surface warfare capability as it allows for the most efficient way to deny the control of Pakistani sea lanes to the adversary.1979-1999
During the 1980s the Pakistan Navy enjoyed un-preceded growth. It doubled its surface fleet from 8 to 16 surface combatants in 1989. In 1982, the Reagan administration approved US$ 3.2 billions military and economic aid to Pakistan. Pakistan acquired eight Brooke and Garcia-class frigates from US Navy on a five year lease in 1988. A depot for repairs, EX-USS HECTOR followed the lease of these ships in April 1989. However after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989 US President George Bush was advised to no longer certify that Pakistan was not involved in the development of nuclear weapons and the Pressler’s Amendment was invoked on 1 October, 1990. The lease of the first expired in March 1993, the remaining in early 1994. This seriously impaired the Pakistan Navy, which was composed almost entirely of former US origin ships. Pakistan began to concentrate on self-reliance for its defense production.1999-Present
The Atlantique Incident was a major international incident on 10 August 1999 where a Pakistan Navy plane (Breguet Atlantic) with 16 on board was shot down by Indian Air force jets, citing border violation. It resulted in escalated tensions between the two neighboring countries.
The Navy has been involved in some peacetime operations, most notably during the tsunami tragedy that struck on December 26, 2004. Pakistan sent vessels to Sri Lanka and the Maldives to help in rescue and relief work.
Personnel
The Pakistan Navy has some 24,000 personnel. The force includes a small Naval Air Arm and the approximately 2,000 member paramilitary Maritime Security Agency, charged primarily with protecting Pakistan's exclusive economic zone(EEZ). The naval reserve consists of about 5,000 personnel. Included in this is the Naval arm of the Special Services Group, a marine commando unit stationed at Karachi. The NSSG or SSG(N) as its known is believed to number around 1,000 in troop strength.
Organization
The supreme commander of the Navy is the Chief of the Naval Staff. Admiral Shahid Karimullah is the current Chief of the Navy. Pakistan Navy recently began inducting women for combat positions apart from the existing administrative posts, becoming one of the few Islamic Republics to do so.The navy has four commands:
- COMPAK - the fleet; (COMmander PAKistan Fleet)
- COMLOG - the logistics; (COMmander LOGistics)
- COMNOR - naval installations in the north of Pakistan; (COMmander NORth)
- COMKAR - naval headquarters and the only major base at Karachi (COMmander KARachi)
- COMCOAST - the special command of SSG(N), Marine and Coastal stations (COMmader COAST) at Karachi
The fleet
Classification of ships with respect to their classes
- Ex-UK Class Type 21 Destroyers
- Ex-UK Leander Class Frigates
- French Eridan Class Mine Hunters
- Hydrographic Survey Vessels
- Fleet Tankers
- Town Class Patrol Crafts
- Larkana Class Large Patrol Crafts
- Jalalat Class Missile Boats
- Huangfen Class Fast Attack Crafts
Submarines
A total of 5 main submarines plus 3 midget submarines, MG110 are in the Naval inventory. These include:
- 2 Agosta-90B (PNS/M Khalid and PNS/M Saad)
- 1 Agosta-90B (PNS/M Hamza) with AIP to be commissioned in late 2006
- 2 Agosta-70 (PNS/M Hasmat and PNS/M Hurmat)
The Pakistan Navy is also expected to start a new SSK submarine requirement for three to five new submarines; options include the German U-214, French Marlin, and Chinese Yuan. These submarines would be acquired from 2012 and will replace the outdated Daphne and Agosta-70. Like the Agosta-90B deal, these submarines would be acquired with "transfer-of-technology" as well as licensed production in Pakistan. By the end of 2019 the Pakistan Navy hopes to operate at least 8 modern SSK attack submarines; unofficial sources report that the actual number may rise to 12 modern SSKs.
Pakistan may have plans to build a Nuclear powered submarine in the future. Many analysts speculated that the Pakistan Navy may acquire a heavily modified/upgraded nuclear attack version of the Agosta-90 (Agosta-90C/N?) or perhaps a Chinese nuclear attack submarine. Currently the closest Pakistan can get to achieving nuclear capability over the seas is to integrate a nuclear warhead Babur cruise missile onto an SSK submarine.
Destroyers
The Pakistan Navy has no modern destroyers, but does have an option to buy the American Spruance-class destroyer Fletcher.Frigates
The Navy's eight frigates include six ex-British Amazon class (PNS Babur) and two Leander-class ships: PNS Zulfiquar and PNS Shamsher. These are expected to retire between 2010 and 2020.
In 2005 Pakistan ordered four Chinese F-22P attack frigates; the first is expected to be commissioned in 2009. Four used S-Class frigates were recently bought from Greece, they will be commissioned into the Navy by the end of 2007. The S-Class boasts a displacement of 3800 tons and surpasses the PN's Type-21 in regards to performance, weapons and systems. According the Jane's IDEAS2004 interview with former Pakistan Navy Chief ex-Admiral Kariumullah another four or so new frigates will be acquired; either a larger and improved F-22P or entirely new model like the Type-054. Options for this new class also include the German MEKO A-200 and MEKO-D (Delta) series.
In addition the Pakistan Navy is considering the purchase of used 2800+ ton (and above) frigates from the U.S, Turkey and The Netherlands. The numbers and type(s) remain undefined - however due to low costs and quick induction of frigates from these sources a fair number (2~4) may be procured. Potential frigate options from these sources include the M-Class (Karel Doorman Class) from The Netherlands, Yavuz Class from Turkey and Oliver Hazard Perry Class from the U.S. From 2010 the German Bremen Class and Italian Maestrale Class will be available for sale, and they too may be considered options for the Pakistan Navy.
A total of 12-16 frigates will be bought and/or procured by the end of 2015, resulting in substantial growth in capabilities and numbers of the Pakistan Navy's major surface combatant fleet. The frigate fleet may be augmented by a fleet of at least 4 large multi-role corvettes; thus expanding the navy's roles, range and potency.
Corvettes
In a recent interview with the Pakistan Naval Chief of Staff, Admiral Tahir, the Pakistan Navy is considering the purchase of at least four new corvettes; expected displacement range is 1,500 tons to 2000+ tons. According to the Admiral these would also be built in Pakistan alongside the F-22P frigate and new SSK attack submarine in the Karachi Shipyard. The Pakistan Navy may be considering the German MEKO A-100 or the Turkish MILGEM Class corvettes.Aviation
The Pakistan Navy Aviation wing is quite small compared to the Pakistan Army Aviation, but despite its size it has a potent fleet which is continuously advancing in offensive and defensive warfare. Currently the PN Aviation Force consists of:
- 3 Westland Lynx Anti-Ship/Anti-Submarine/Transport Helicopters
- 6 Westland Sea King Mk45 Transport Helicopters
- 8 Aerospatiale SA-319B Alouette III Transport/Anti-Ship Helicopters
- 4 Lockheed P-3C Orion Maritime Surveillance/Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft (6 to be delivered)
- 5 Fokker F27-200 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft
- 2-3 Breguet Atlantique I Maritime Surveillance/Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft.
- 12+ Mirage V Anti-Ship Fighter Aircraft (Operated by the Pakistan Air Force)
With the Westland Sea King Mk45 and Aerospatiale SA-319B Alouette III nearing the end of their airframe lives the PN is likely to procure a new helicopter. An adequate replacement for the Westland Sea King Mk45 would be the Eurocopter NH-90NFH; a good replacement for the Aerospatiale Alouette III would be the Eurocopter EC-130B4 naval helicopter. The Westland Lynx helicopters will likely be replaced by the Chinese Z-9EC.
Others
Apart from the above the Navy possesses:
- 6+ Jalalat II Class Fast Attack Missile Patrol Boat
- 4 Jalalat Class Missile Boat
- 4 Sabqat Class (Huangfeng Class) Missile Boats
- 4 Hoku Class Inshore Missile Boats
- 2 Shanghai II Class Attack Patrol Gunboats
- 1 Town Class Patrol Bboat
- 1 Larkana Class Patrol Boat
- 3 Eridan Class mine-hunter vessels
- 6 MRTP 33 Fast Attack Patrol Boats
- 1 Fuqing Class AOR
- 1 Poolster Class AOR
- 2 Coastal Tankers
- 4 Griffon Ambhibious Assault Ships
Conclusion
It also has 25 naval aircraft at its immediate disposal. The Dassault Mirage 5 is one of the premier fighters in the naval kitty equipped with Exocet AshM in anti-surface warfare role. The Mirages are dedicated for Naval support but are part of and flown by PAF personnel. Other Navy planes are Fokker F27, Lockheed P-3 Orion and Breguet Atlantique. The US has provided additional Orions which in total will number 10. All of the PN Orions are equipped with Harpoon AshMs and also have the ability to carry Chinese AshM C-802s.Pakistan has always relied on stealth and prides itself on its submarines. However the financial crunch and the Pressler Amendment has hindered its ability to match the growing military capability of its neighbour, India. Since the late 1990s and from 2000, Pakistan stepped up its efforts to modernize its navy's surface, submerged, and aerial fleet, as well as weapons inventory of various missiles, torpedoes, etc.
See also
References
External links
- http://www.pakistanidefence.com/Pak%20Navy/PN_Ships.html
- [Pakistan Navy's official site]
- [Ranks and Insignia in Navy]
- [Global Security Organization]
- [Training of Pakistan Navy]
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Pakistan Army | Pakistan Navy | Pakistan Air Force | |
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