• Source: Pakistan Navy Submarine Force

      • The Pakistan Navy Submarine Force, officially referred to as the PN Submarine Force, is the principal underwater warfare component of the Pakistan Navy. It is responsible for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and offensive operations during wartime. Established in 1964 with the induction of its first submarine, PNS Ghazi (formerly USS Diablo) from the United States, it became the first submarine force to operate in the Indian Ocean. Since its inception, the Submarine Force has participated in cross-border engagements, including the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 and the 1971.


      History




      = Origin

      =

      The Pakistan Navy Submarine Force was established on 1 June 1964, making it one of the earliest submarine forces in South Asia. The creation of the Submarine Force is attributed to vice admiral Afzal Rahman Khan, who was the naval commander-in-chief at the time and played a central role in its development. Its formation served as a significant development in the Pakistan's maritime history. The force began operations with the induction of the USS Diablo, later renamed PNS Ghazi, a GUPPY II submarine, from the United States and was subsequently deployed at Karachi Port on 4 September 1964.


      = Early years (1960s–1970s)

      =
      Following the induction of Ghazi, the Submarine Force was deployed during Operation Desert Hawk of the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. The submarine was stationed in the Indian Ocean, where its presence contributed to the strategic positioning of the Pakistan Navy. During the conflict, Ghazi was deployed off India's western coast, and its presence led to the Indian Navy's Western Fleet remaining in port, reducing the naval threats faced by Pakistan.
      In the 1970s, the Pakistan Navy Submarine Force expanded with the induction of three Daphné-class submarines from France. These submarines, commissioned as PNS Hangor, PNS Shushuk, and PNS Hangor between 1969 and 1970, increased the number of operational submarines in the fleet.
      During the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971, Hangor conducted a patrol along India's western coast, where it sank the Indian Navy's frigate INS Khukri on 9 December 1971. This attack was the first submarine strike by Submarine Force on a surface ship since World War II. These actions contributed to the disruption of Indian naval operations in the region and contributed to the protection to Pakistan-bound shipping.


      = Expansion

      =
      After the 1971 war, the Submarine Force continued to update its services. In 1975, negotiations with the Portuguese Navy led to the acquisition of a Daphné-class submarine, which was renamed PNS Ghazi (S134). The submarine underwent a major refit in France and was re-commissioned in 1977.
      In the late 1970s, the Pakistan Navy negotiated with France for the acquisition of Agosta 70-class submarines, leading to the induction of two submarines, PNS Khalid and PNS Hamza, in the early 1980s. These submarines featured more advanced technology compared to earlier platforms in the component.
      In the 1990s, the Navy advanced its submarine capabilities with the introduction of Agosta 90B-class submarines, accompanied with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems. The Agosta 90B class, designed by DCN (Direction des Constructions Navales), provided enhanced submerged endurance, improved sonar systems, and updated weapons capabilities. This class incorporated several modern systems, including VLF linear towed array sonar, photonics mast, and an integrated combat system designed to support detection and response in various operational environments.


      Role and responsibilities


      Besides being responsible for reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and offensive operations, the Pakistan Navy Submarine Force is also tasked with maintaining the operational readiness and combat efficiency of its submarines, including Cosmos-class "X-craft" submarine. Its primary responsibilities involve maintaining the availability of these vessels, meeting operational objectives, and developing structured workup and inspection plans in coordination with relevant training authorities.


      Equipment



      During the 2000s, the Pakistan Navy Submarine Force introduced updates to its fleet. In 2005, the submarine force added X-class submarines, which were transferred from the Special Services Group Navy (SSG(N)), increasing the number of sub-surface units to eight.
      As of 2024, the fleet of Pakistan Submarine Force operate eight submarines, including five diesel-electric attack submarines and three air-independent propulsion-based submarines such as two Agosta-70-class submarines and three more modern Agosta 90B-class submarines, all designed in France. The third Agosta-90B submarine, PNS Hamza, was built locally by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) and commissioned on 26 September 2008. It was the first conventional submarine in South Asia to feature the MESMA AIP system. In 2011, Pakistan retrofitted the two earlier Agosta-90B submarines with AIP technology during their overhauls.
      In 2015, Pakistan signed a $5 billion deal with China to acquire eight Type 039 Yuan-class and Type 041 attack submarines. KSEW was set to build four of these submarines in Pakistan, while China the remaining four. Delivery of the first four submarines was initially planned for 2023 but was delayed to 2024. The remaining submarines are scheduled to be delivered between 2025 and 2028. Also, in 2017, Pakistan successfully test-fired its first nuclear-capable submarine-launched cruise missile, the Babur-III, following India's Agni-V missile test.
      In 2024, Pakistan began the development of its sixth Hangor-class submarine, which features advanced weapon and sensor systems. The first submarine of this class was launched in Wuhan, China, in April 2024.


      Training centres


      In 1980, the Pakistan Navy established the Submarine Training Centre (STC) at PNS Bahadur to provide specialized training for submarine personnel in areas such as submarine operations, diving, propulsion, and sonar systems. The force inducted the PNS Abdoze submarine base to support logistical and operational support for submarines while docked.
      In 2008, the Fleet Acoustic Research and Classification Centre (FARCC) was set up to focus on research and development in underwater acoustics and related technologies.


      Awards and accolades



      The Pakistan Navy Submarine Force was awarded the National Standard on 3 January 1997 by then-president of Pakistan, Farooq Leghari. It has also received two Sitara-e-Jurat, the third highest military award, one Tamgha-i-Jurat, the fourth highest military award, and seven Imtiazi Sanad, the fifth highest military award, for its contributions during the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971. However, some sources, such as The Frontier Post, suggest that the Force received six Sitara-e-Jurat, seven Tamgha-i-Jurat, and 21 Imtiazi Sanad, reportedly the highest number of operational gallantry awards conferred on a single unit of the Pakistan Navy.
      On 1 June 2014, the government of Pakistan issued a commemorative postage stamp to observe the 50th anniversary of the Pakistan Submarine Force. The following day, 2 June 2014, the State Bank of Pakistan also issued a commemorative coin to observe the anniversary.
      Admiral Noman Bashir referred to the Pakistan Submarine Force as "the backbone of the Pakistani fleet".


      See also


      Pakistan Maritime Security Agency
      Pakistan Coast Guards


      Footnotes




      References




      Further reading


      Raza, Shahid (19 February 2019). "Pakistan Navy's Blue Water Ambitions". Global Village Space. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
      Panneerselvam, Prakash (29 April 2020). "Pakistan's New Midget Submarine: Emerging Challenge to India in the Arabian Sea". The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine. Retrieved 11 December 2024.


      External links


      PN Submarine Force promotional video
      PN Submarine Force documentary

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