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The Pakistan Navy (Urdu: پاک بحریہ) is the naval branch of the military of Pakistan. It is responsible for Pakistan's 1,046 kilometer (650 mile) coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important harbors. Navy day is celebrated on September 8 in commemoration of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.[1] Pakistan Navy is a small but a well trained and a hard hitting force that has a significant sea denial capability. Its arsenal of anti-ship missiles carried by ships, submarines and aircraft are potent enough to challenge even a large surface force in the confines of North Arabian Sea. Pakistan Navy is committed to maintain good order and peace in its area of responsible. Despite small size and pressure on its limited resources, Pak Navy contributes to world peace by persistant deployment of its assets in US led coalition Task Force 150 which is tasked to prevent smuggling of narcotics, weapons and humans. Besides, Pakistan also contributes in Task Force 151 deployed to challenge Somalian piracy.
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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 India and Pakistan. The Royal Pakistan Navy secured two sloops, two frigates, four minesweepers, two naval trawlers, four harbour launches and some 358 personnel (180 officers and 34 ratings), and given the high percentage of delta areas on the Pakistan coast the Navy was given a number of Harbour Defence Motor Launches.
| “ | “ Today is a historic day for Pakistan, doubly so for those of us in the Navy. The Dominion of Pakistan has come into being and with it a new Navy – the Royal Pakistan Navy – has been born. I am proud to have been appointed to command it and serve with you at this time. In the coming months, it will be my duty and yours to build up our Navy into a happy and efficient force.” Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. | ” |
The Royal Pakistan Navy saw no action during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 as all the fighting was restricted to land warfare. In 1956 the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was proclaimed under the 1956 constitution. The prefix Royal was dropped and the service was re-designated as the Pakistan Navy, or "PN" for short. The PN Jack and Pakistan flag replaced the Queen's colour 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 the navy was involved in a conflict for the first time. Apart from carrying out successful bombardment of the coastal town of Dwaraka - codenamed Operation Dwarka, the navy's submarine PNS Ghazi which was Pakistan's first submarine and remained the flagship submarine for Pakistan Navy till deployed against Indian Navy's western fleet at Bombay (Mumbai) port.[3]
Karachi, the hub of Pakistan's maritime trade, housed the headquarters of the Pakistan Navy and almost the entire naval fleet. On December 4 the Indian Navy launched a naval attack, Operation Trident, consisting of 3 OSA class missile boats escorted by two anti-submarine patrol vessels. Nearing the Karachi port, they detected Pakistani presence and launched their SS-N-2 Styx anti-ship missiles. The obsolescent Pakistani ships had no viable defence against such missiles [4] and, as a result, the PNS Muhafiz and PNS Khyber were both sunk while the PNS Shahjahan was severely damaged[citation needed].
On 8 December 1971 the PNS Hangor, a Pakistani Daphné class submarine, sank the Indian frigate INS Khukri off the coast of Gujarat, India. This was the first sinking of a warship by a submarine since World War II. 18 officers and 176 sailors of the Indian navy were killed in this operation. The same submarine also damaged another warship, INS Kirpan.[5] Attempts were then made by Pakistan to counter the Indian missile boat threat by carrying out bombing raids over Okha harbour, the forward base of the missile boats. Another Indian attack on the Pakistani coast, named Operation Python, occurred on the night of 8 December 1971. A small group of Indian vessels, consisting of a missile boat and two frigates, approached Karachi. The Indian ships sank the Panamian vessel Gulf Star, while the Pakistan Navy's Dacca and the British ship SS Harmattan were damaged. Pakistani fuel reserves were also destroyed by the Indian vessels.
With East Pakistan having been surrounded on all three sides by the Indian Army, the PN was attempting to prevent Indian access to the coast. The PN's only long range submarine, PNS Ghazi, was deployed to the area. It sank under unclear circumstances and is believed to have detonated one of the anti-ship mines it was laying, which may have struck it due to rough seas.[6] This enabled the Indian Navy to enforce a blockade on then East Pakistan.[7]
The damage inflicted by the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force on the PN stood at seven gunboats, one minesweeper, two destroyers, three patrol crafts belonging to the coast guard, 18 cargo, supply and communication vessels, and large scale damage inflicted on the naval base and docks in the coastal town of Karachi. Three merchant navy ships; Anwar Baksh, Pasni and Madhumathi; [8] and ten smaller vessels were captured.[9] Around 1900 personnel were lost, while 1413 servicemen were captured by Indian forces in Dhaka.[10] The Indian Navy lost 212 personnel and a frigate, while another frigate was damaged and a Breguet Alizé naval aircraft was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force.[10] According to one Pakistan scholar, Tariq Ali, the Pakistan Navy lost a third of its force in the war.[11] 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 an adversary.
The Navy sought to diversify its purchases instead of depending solely on the United States, which had placed an arms embargo on both India and Pakistan. It sought more vessels from France and China. The Pakistan Navy thus became the first navy in South Asia to acquire land based missile capable long range reconnaissance aircraft.[12] 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 billion 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 Brooke class frigate 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 military equipment needs.
The PN began negotiations with China to lease a Chinese Type 091 Han class nuclear submarine after rival India began leasing a Russian Charlie 1 class nuclear submarine. Negotiations were cancelled when the Russian submarine was returned in 1991.[13]
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 in the border area of the Kutch region with Pakistan and India both claiming the aircraft to be in their respective airspace by Indian Air Force jets. The wreckage however, fell well within Pakistani territory, giving credence to the Pakistani claim. The Indian Air Force stated that the Atlantique was trying to return to Pakistani airspace after intruding more than 10 nautical miles and as such was headed towards Pakistan. At the speed of 400 knots at which the shootdown occurred most of the wreckage was expected to land at least 25 miles from the shootdown so so according to Pakistani claims that the wreckage was well within the safezone and the aircraft didn't violate indian airspace. This incident resulted in escalated tensions between the two neighboring countries.[citation needed] However International Court of Justice did not decide in favour of Pakistan.[citation needed]
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.[14]
The Pakistan Navy has around 24,000 active personnel and 5,000 in reserve.[15] 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).[15] The Navy also comprises the Special Services Group Navy, a marine commando unit as well as a Marine unit, both stationed at Karachi. The SSG(N) and Marines are believed to number around 1,000 in troop strength each. 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.[16]
The supreme commander of the Navy is the Chief of the Naval Staff. Admiral Noman Bashir is the current Chief of the Navy.
The navy has six commands:
| PN Officer Ranks | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Admiral(Adm) | Vice Admiral | Rear Admiral | Commodore | Captain | Commander | Lieutenant Commander | Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Midshipman | |
| Uniform insignia |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| PN Sailor Ranks | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Master Chief Petty Officer | Fleet Chief Petty Officer | Chief Petty Officer | Petty Officer | Leading | ||||||
| Uniform insignia | |||||||||||
Pakistan Navy has an academy of its own called the Pakistan Naval Academy, it is the home of initial training of officers of Pakistan Navy. The academy also has provided basic training to the officers of Allied Navies. The Chief of Naval Staff of Qatar Emiri Navy and many high ranking officers of Royal Saudi Navy as well as other navies in the Gulf were graduates of the PNA. The academy is a full fledged training institution catering to the needs to Pakistani junior Naval officers. The Navy also has its own navy war college called the Pakistan Navy War College[18] specializing in imparting Naval Warfare techniques to officers of the Pakistan marine forces.
Other worthwhile training institutions are:
PNS Bahadur: conducts specialist courses.
PNS Himalaya: for basic training of sailors.
PNS Karsaz: It is the Largest and the most organized technical training Establishment of Pakistan Navy. The establishment has the previlige to host many heads of states since its commissioning. It is considered the mother unit of PNS MEHRAN, PNS JAUHAR, PNS BAHADUR, ASD and other PN units in that area. The unit celebrated its golden gubilee in 2003 under the command of Cdre M B Chaudhry. PNS KARSAZ also houses one of the most modern Special Children School which was built at the cost of Rs 88.00 Millions during 2003-5. Cdre M Bashir Chaudhry who was the commandant KARSAZ during this period was the force behind this project who collected the funds through philanthropists. Rangoon wala trust contributed the most. In fact PNS KARSAZ is a complete Naval unit which can operate independently in all spheres.
PNS Jauhar: for technical training of officers.
[[ ]]PNS Jauhar has been absorbed by the National University of Sciences and Technology and has become its constituent Pakistan Navy Engineering College, where officers and civilian students are offered degrees in Electrical, Mechanical and Electronics Enginee
Special Service Group Navy (SSGN) is an independent commando division of the Pakistan Navy. It is an elite special operations force supposed to be similar to the Royal Navy's Special Boat Service and United States Navy SEALS. Official numbers place the strength between 700 to 1,000, in 1 Company; however the actual strength is classified.
Pakistan Navy Marines division was re-established on April 14, 1990 with about 2000 men and plans to expand the force significantly by 2015. The naval marines are based at Port Qasim naval base.
Ships with respect to their classes:[20][21][22][23]
| Ship | Quantity | Service entry |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frigates | |||
| F-22P Zulfiquar class F-251 PNS Zulfiqar F-252 PNS Shamsheer F-253 PNS Saif F-254 (under construction) |
4 | 2009 2009 |
PNS Zulfiquar delivered August 2009.
PNS Shamsheer delivered December 2009. |
| Tariq class F181 PNS Tariq F182 PNS Babur F183 PNS Khaibar F184 PNS Badr F185 PNS Shah Jahan F186 PNS Tippu Sultan |
6 |
1990s |
|
| Oliver Hazard Perry class USS McInerney (FFG-8) |
1 |
2010 |
[24] |
| Mine Hunters | |
| 4 | Eridan class Mine Hunter vessels
|
| Missile Boats | |
| 6 | Jalalat class
|
| 1 | Larkana class
|
| 3 | Sabqat class (huangefeng)
|
| 1 | Hegu class
|
| 1 | ?
|
| Multi Role Tactical Platform | |
| 2 | MRTP-33
|
| 2 | MRTP-15
|
| Auxiliary | |
| 1 | Fuqing class
|
| 1 | Poolster class
|
| 2 | Coastal tankers
|
| 1 | Hydrographic Survey Vessel
|
| 1 | Dredging Vessel
|
| 2 | Small tanker cum utility ship (STUS)
|
| Training vessel | |
| 1 | Leander class frigate
|
| Hover Crafts | |
| 4 | Griffon class |
| Patrol boats | |
| 12+5 | 12 Gulf Crafts and, 5 patrol boats USA denoted on 13 Feb 2010 at Karachi. [25] |
A total of five active diesel electric submarines plus 3 midget submarines, MG110 are in the Naval inventory.[26] These include:
submarine[27]
| 3 | Agosta 90B class submarine[28]
|
| 2 | Agosta 70[28]
|
All of the Pakistani SSKs have been equipped with AshMs which can be fired while submerged. The three Khalid class boats are capable of firing Exocet AshM, while the older Agostas and Daphnes have been equipped with US Harpoon AshMs. PNS/M Hamza (third Agosta-90B) is equipped with the MESMA Air Independent Propulsion system, PNS/M Khalid and PNS/M Saad will be upgraded with the same MESMA AIP system in the near future. The Pakistan Navy also plans to integrate the Boeing Harpoon Block II on to its Agosta-90Bs; and currently the Agosta-90Bs are capable of firing Blackshark torpedoes.
In mid-2006 the Pakistan Navy announced its requirement of three new SSK attack submarines to replace the two Agosta-70 submarines and rebuild its fleet - after retiring the four Daphne Class. The French naval firm DCN had offered its latest export design - the Marlin SSK - which is based on the Scorpene SSK, but also uses technology from the Barracuda nuclear attack submarine. However, the Pakistan Navy is said to have chosen the Type 214 submarine. During the IDEAS 2008 exhibition, the HDW chief Walter Freitag told “The commercial contract has been finalised up to 95 per cent,” he said. The first submarine would be delivered to the Pakistan Navy in 64 months after signing of the contract while the rest would be completed successively in 12 months.[29]
Pakistan is also seeking to enhance its strategic strike capability by developing naval variants of the Babur land attack cruise missile (LACM). The Babur LACM has a range of 700 km and is capable of using both conventional and nuclear warheads. Future developments of LACM include capability of being launched from submarines, surface combatants and aircraft.
The Navy's six frigates include six ex-British Amazon class (PNS Babur) ships. These are expected to retire between 2010 and 2020.In 2005 Pakistan ordered four F-22P light frigates from China in a deal worth $750 million.[30] The first has been commissioned and the remainder by 2013.[30] One of the F-22Ps will be built in the Karachi Shipyard. The F-22Ps also have the ability to embark Harbin Z-9 helicopters on deck.[30] The F-22P is an improved version of the Type 053H3 Jiangwei II class light frigate, it has a displacement of at least 2500 tons.[30] The first F-22P is called PNS Zulfiqar, and thus the F-22Ps will be called Zulfiqar Class. According to Janes the Pakistan Navy is expected to place a formal request to the U.S. for six Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates to augment its surface fleet. These may replace the Type-21s and act as stop-gaps until new-built frigates and corvettes are commissioned. The weapons and systems on the PN FFG-7 have not yet been disclosed, but they could include the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) as well as Mk 32 torpedo tubes for Mk 46 Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) torpedoes. The frigate USS McInerney (FFG-8) with considerable anti-submarine warfare capability will be handed over in August 2010.[31] According to Janes' IDEAS2004 interview with former Pakistan Navy Chief ex-Admiral Karimullah at least four additional new-built frigates will be acquired by the navy. The new frigate will be larger and superior to the F-22P; it will likely have a better air defence system and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability; and use more advanced sensors, radar and electronics. Kanwa recently reported that the Pakistan Navy has shown recent interest in the Chinese Type 054A frigate. Another potential option could be the TKMS MEKO A-200 frigate.[citation needed]
The Pakistan Navy operates four Jalalat class 200 ton missile boats each armed with four Chinese C-802 anti-ship missiles. The Jalalat II Class were locally produced using a German design. In November 2006 the Pakistan Navy ordered two MRTP-33 missile boats from Yonca-Onuk shipyards of Turkey.[32] The first will be delivered in 2008. The Navy has an overall requirement of eight MRTP-33s.
Pakistan Naval Aviation is an important arm of the Pakistan Navy and assists in the surface and submarine flights to guarantee the safety of Pakistan sea borders. Currently the PN Aviation Force consists of:
The Pakistan Navy has one Poolster Class AOR and one Fuqing Class AOR auxiliary tankers as well as two Gwadar class coastal tankers. Three Eridan Class mine hunters are also in service with the PN; plans for additional mine hunters are underway.[citation needed]
The Navy plans to procure a single replenishment tanker as well as up to two mine countermeasure vessels.[citation needed]
The Pakistani Navy plays an active role in the multinational Combined Task Force 150.[36] The command of the force was give to Pakistan from March 24, 2006 till February 25, 2008. Under Pakistan's leadership, CTF 150 coordinated patrols throughout their area of operations to help commercial shipping and fishing operate safely and freely in the region. Additionally, CTF 150 Coalition ships made 11 successful at-sea rescues and made the largest drug bust in the CTF 150 AOO since 2005.[37] Pakistan has contributed 13 different ships to CTF 150 and the current one being PNS Tariq.[38]
| Comparative military ranks (Pakistan) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flag Rank Officers | |||||
| Army | Navy | Air Force | |||
| Field Marshal | N/A | N/A | |||
| General | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal | |||
| Lieutenant General | Vice Admiral | Air Marshal | |||
| Major General | Rear Admiral | Air Vice Marshal | |||
| Brigadier | Commodore | Air Commodore | |||
| Commissioned Officers | |||||
| Colonel | Captain | Group Captain | |||
| Lieutenant Colonel | Commander | Wing Commander | |||
| Major | Lieutenant Commander | Squadron Leader | |||
| Captain | Lieutenant | Flight Lieutenant | |||
| Lieutenant | Sub Lieutenant | Flying Officer | |||
| Second Lieutenant | Midshipman | Pilot Officer | |||
| Junior Commissioned Officers |
|||||
| Subedar Major | N/A | Chief Warrant Officer | |||
| Subedar | N/A | N/A | |||
| Naib Subedar | N/A | N/A | |||
| Other ranks |
|||||
| Battalion Havildar Major | Master Chief Petty Officer | Warrant Officer | |||
| Battalion Quartermaster Havildar | Fleet Chief Petty Officer | Assistant Warrant Officer | |||
| Company Havildar Major | Chief Petty Officer | Senior Technician | |||
| Company Quartermaster Havildar | Petty Officer | Corporal Technician | |||
| Havildar | Leading | Junior Technician | |||
| Naik | N/A | Senior Aircraftman | |||
| Lance Naik | N/A | Leading Aircraftman | |||
| Jawan | Sailor | Aircraftman | |||
| Template source: "Pakistani Army Ranks". http://pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent.aspx?pId=298. Retrieved 2009-06-05."Pakistani Navy Ranks". http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/pn_ranks.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-05."Pakistani Air Force Ranks". http://www.uniforminsignia.net/?option=com_insigniasearch&Itemid=53&result=2502. Retrieved 2009-06-05. | |||||
Pakistan Navy (Urdu: پاک بحریہ) is the naval branch of the military of Pakistan. It is responsible for Pakistan's 1,046 kilometres (650.0 mi) coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defence of important harbours. It is a modern and highly dependable force that operates a wide range of ships ranging from cruisers to destroyers as well as submarines. Navy day is celebrated on September 8 in commemoration of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
   | Maritime Awareness and Pakistan Navy - Maritime Awareness and Pakistan Navy |
| | Orbat - Pakistan: Major Warship Names 1947-2002 |
| | Official website - SURFACE WARRIORS - PN |
| | Official Website - Missile Boats - SURFACE WARRIORS - PN |
| | Pakistan Rescue 15 Bwp Police's site - Home Of Rscue 15 | Emergency Help | Ambulance Service | Verification Of Vehicles Elite Combat Team | More Information for Contact RESCUE-15 BAHAWALPUR |
| | Orbat.com - Pakistan Navy Warships Part 3C: Leander Frigates |
| | '''Pakistan Navy News and Discussions''' - Pakistan Navy (PN) News, Updates & Discussions - Page 41 - Defence Talk Forum |
| | Training of Pakistan Navy - pak-defence.com |
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