|
|
|
|
|
|
Behr-e-zulmaat main dora diay ghoray hum nay"
The Pakistan Navy is under command of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). He exercises his authority through the following four commands: COMPAK (Commander Pakistan Fleet) which is obviously the commander of the Pakistani Fleet itself; COMLOG (Commander Logistics) responsible for the logistics of the Navy; COMNOR (Commander North) commanding the naval installations in the North of Pakistan; and COMKAR (Commander Karachi) commanding the naval headquarters and the only major base at Karachi. There were long-range plans to build a new naval base at Ormara, 240 kilometers west of Karachi, and to improve harbors at Gwadar and Pasni to help alleviate overdependence on Karachi.
The navy's principal combatants are six French submarines equipped with United States Harpoon missiles. Negotitations to obtain three more AGOSTA class submarines with AIPS (Air Independant Propulsion System) are underway. It may also obtain, under the Brown Law, additional Harpoon missiles and three P-3C Orion long range reconnaisance maritime patrol aircrafts for which Pakistan has already paid. However, the shipment has been suspended since 1990 due to the Pressler Ammendment.
Currently Pakistan navy's strength stands at 24,000 active and about 5,000 reserve personnel. The force also includes a Naval Air Arm and the approximately 2,000-member paramilitary Maritime Security Agency, charged primarily with protecting Pakistan's exclusive economic zone. In 1991 a naval special warfare marine commando unit, with a strength of between 150 and 200 men, was established. Its functions, in addition to hull inspection and special operations, included operating three midget submarines.
Apart from this the navy has 17 Destroyers and Frigates including the type-21 frigates purchased from the Royal Navy as replacements for the 8 leased american frigates. It has 9 Corvettes and Missile boats, 3 Minesweepers (2 more on order), 5 maritime partol aircrafts and 2 fleet tankers.
Even though it may seem like the immediate future of the Pakistan Navy is threatened by a reduction in equipment due to the Pressler Ammendment imposed in 1990 by the United States, its high professional standards and qualitative edge still make it a much more potent threat to the Indian Navy than is usually given credit for.
Due to the Pressler Ammendment Pakistan had to return four Brooke (Badr)-class and four Garcia (Saif)-class frigates to the United States at the end of their five-year lease. In addition, one British-made destroyer, the PNS Babur, was retired in 1994. At the same time, all three United States destroyers became fully operational, and an additional six Amazon-class frigates purchased from Britain were delivered in late 1994. They are quite capable as is evident from their specs. They have a displacement of 3,800 tons and a length of 130m. Their maximum speed is 30.5 knots, hold a crew of 250 and can be retrofitted with EXOCET or Harpoon missiles. The Indian Navy, on the other hand, has mostly old Russian WWII vintage frigates.
The Pakistan Navy currently has 2 AGOSTA Class and 4 older DAPHNE Class submarines. The AGOSTA class boats are newer, quieter and generally pack a greater punch than the 4 older DAPHNE class. Interestingly, the DAPHNEs are still quieter than most of the INDIAN subs --- old Russian KILOs and FOXTROT class boats.
All of our submarines (and some frigates) are fitted with the proven HARPOON (RGM-84) anti-ship missile. It has an effective range of about 100 KM. One missile can cripple a frigate and two can DISABLE the small Indian Carriers. It is a VERY SMART weapon, with on-board computers guiding it towards the target. As compared to the Russian missiles, it is very difficult to 'fool' it by using electronic countermeasures.
The major target of our Harpoon-armed boats shoud be the Indian Navy's two aircraft carriers. Early in the battle, this devastating move would break the backbone of their navy. After sinking them, our subs should hunt down their Indian counterparts. Which should not be too difficult, given the noisy SOUND SIGNATURE of the Russian made boats and our SONAR's ( SOund NAvigation and Ranging) qualitative edge.
Remember that in 1965, Pakistan had 1 submarine, PNS Ghazi, while India had none. That boat instilled such a fear in the heart of the IN that it stayed in port throughout the War.
Currently, Pakistan has 5 Seakings armed with depth charges and sonobouys + special F-27 Fokkers. We had the excellent P-3 ORIONS on order from America and they were due to leave for Pakistan just three days before the Pressler Amendment was enacted and aid to Pakistan stopped. Armed with Harpoons, they would have given the PN a considerable qualitative gain. The last Indian Naval Chief, Admiral L. RAMDAS, is rumoured to have thanked his angels when he got the news that we aren't getting the P-3s.
We also have a squadron of MIRAGE IIIs, armed with EXOCET anti-ship missiles dedicated to Naval strikes.
Back to Pakistan homepage 
Back to my homepage 
