Pakistan Aheading To Purchase 8 Submarines From China

Pakistan‬ will procure eight ‪submarines‬ from ‪China‬ to further strengthen its defence. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence was informed today during its meeting in Islamabad that a contact was made with France for the supply of new sub marines which declined their supply while it has already supplied these submarines to ‪India‬. It was informed that contact was also made with countries for the purchase of these sub marines but the Chinese submarines were found more feasible to meet requirements of our Navy.

 

The Committee was also informed that the Government is also in contact with ‪France‬, ‪‎UK‬ and ‪Germany‬ to purchase used sub marines. It was also disclosed in the meeting that contacts have been made with various countries to sale JF-17 Thunder fighter plane besides other defence technology. The committee was also told that defence ties with ‪‎Russia‬ are improving gradually.

Indian Navy's Floating Coffins!

According to the News report by India’s Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the submarine fleet revealed that the operational availability of the existing boats was “as low as 48% .The CAG report also warned that more than 50% of submarines have completed three-fourths of their operational life and some are already beyond their maximum service life, compelling the navy to deal with the challenges of handling an increasingly obsolete fleet safely.

 

An Indian navy submarine Sindhurakshak with about 18 sailors on board caught fire after an explosion.While the exact cause of the explosion on-board Sindhurakshak is still to be determined, but it puts a spotlight on the spate of incidents involving naval vessels. Since 2005, at least 10 serious incidents have been reported. Among them five are related to the Sindhughosh-class of submarines, of which Sindhurakshak is the one. Like in April 2006 INS Prahar Naval Patrol vessel, which was on return journey to Mumbai from Goa, sank at a Distance of 20 nautical miles from the coast.

In January 2008 INS Sindhu-gosh, with a large foreign-owned cargo ship in the Arabian Sea last could have meant a cold watery grave for the 53 sailors on board the underwater vessel. The 16-year-old Russian-made submarine, INS Sindhurakshak, also suffered an explosion in 2010 that killed one sailor and injured two others. The Indian navy said that accident was caused by a faulty battery valve that leaked hydrogen, causing an explosion in the vessel’s battery compartment.

While these incidents may reflect training and safety lapses coupled with an ageing fleet. Safety is, doubtless, a paramount concern not only in the running of conventionally armed submarines, which presently operate out of bases surrounded by densely populated cities and even more so in the case of the nuclear-armed submarine. If there were to be a similar incident with the nuclear-tipped missiles, it would be catastrophic not only for the crew but for the nearby population centers as well.

India Forces Pakistan To Indigenously Build Nuclear Submarine

Maverick Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been forced to build its own nuclear submarine, as India is building its own nuclear submarines besides acquiring nuclear submarines from Russia, defence sources have said.

Under this project, India launched its first indigenously built nuclear submarine in 2010 and it is presently undergoing trials and is expected to be fully operational by the end of the current year, the sources requesting anonymity.

“India has already initiated work on second such type of submarine and it is envisaged that India would be operating three nuclear submarines by 2015, providing her a clear edge over Pakistan in the strategic realm,” the sources added. 

 

Pakistan Navy Active Duty Submarines:

The sources said although Pakistan does not want to involve itself in an arms race with India, such a huge disparity in conventional and nuclear submarines needs to be given a thought to keep some balance of power in the region. They said if the challenge of building a nuclear submarine is given to Pakistani scientists, engineers and technicians, they would not disappoint the nation and would once again prove they could show miracles for the national defence. 

 

INS Arihant

“Pakistani scientists, engineers and technicians have already proven their skill and dedication by testing indigenously made nuclear bomb and by testing nuclear capable Shaheen and Babar cruise missiles, etc,” they pointed out. “Pakistani experts are capable of giving the Pakistan Navy a nuclear submarine for test and trial within six years, i.e. by 2018 or even earlier, after they are given a go-ahead signal while India took about 20 to 25 years to build a nuclear submarine.” 

The Qing Class, Which Will Be The Base for Pakistan's Nuclear Submarine:

Submarines pose immense threat to an adversary as these vessels can remain submerged for a prolong duration without detection through radar or naked eye. Owing to submarine’s stealth features and long endurance, these vessels can operate close to the enemy waters hence can destroy or damage severely the enemy shipping, particularly close to her ports. By virtue of its characteristics, the Arabian Sea poses many challenges vis-à-vis detection of the underwater vessels and is known to be heaven for submarines, elaborated the sources.

They said the conventional submarines are run with the help of batteries and such vessels are required to break the water surface and expose herself to induct air for running the engines to recharge the batteries, thus becoming vulnerable for detection by the enemy. The nuclear submarines are run with the help of a nuclear reactor and do not require to recharge their batteries, thus remaining submerged for months without exposing themselves to the enemy. “Owing to this very capability, countries possessing the nuclear submarines are said to have assured second-strike capability,” the sources said.

Presently, India has at least 14 active submarines whereas Indian Navy has contracted France for six modern submarines, the sources said. These submarines are being constructed in Indian shipyard and are likely to be inducted in the Indian fleet by 2018. The Defence Committee of India has also approved procurement of six more conventional submarines in addition to the six already being built with the help of France, thus it is envisaged that by 2025 India might have around 30 conventional submarines.

“On the contrary, the Pakistani Navy current has five active submarines and so far the disparity in numbers was somehow balanced through induction of modern weapons and sensors, however, with the induction of such a large number of submarines India will have a clear edge over the Pakistan Navy in the field of conventional submarines,” they said.

INS Chakra, SSN. Leased from Russian Navy for next 10 years.

Beside conventional submarines, India also embarked upon the programme of acquiring nuclear submarine and as a first step acquired CHAKRA class nuclear submarine from former Soviet Union in 1987 on 10 years lease so it was returned to Russia in late 1990s, the sources recalled.

Later, they said, India signed a contract with Russia for lease of two AKULA class nuclear submarines. They said one of the two leased vessels has been handed over to India and is likely to join the Indian Fleet this month. “With the induction of this submarine, India has acquired the assured second-strike capability shifting the strategic balance in the region in her favour,” the sources commented.

Pennsylvania (SSBN-735): Saga of an Incredible One's (Part-II)

After "Part-I"....

A torpedoman is checking the fire control console in the torpedo room of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735).

A torpedoman is checking the number two torpedo tube on board the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735).

Sailors man the periscopes on board the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735). One is the spotting scope and the other is the shoot scope.

A sailor mans the main conole of the ships Ballast Control Panel on board the nuclear-powered ballistic submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735), November 1995.

A view looking aft from the fairweather sail of the nuclear-powered ballistic submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) as the ship cruises off the coast of Georgia. The American flag is shown flying from the bridge staff, November 1995.

Port side view of the fore section of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) underway off the coast of Georgia, November 1995.

An aerial starboard bow view of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) underway, November 1995.

Submarine Centennial Day Proclamation, 11 April 2000, signed by the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania in honoring the State's namesake, Pennsylvania (SSBN-735).

The Ohio class ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) arrives at its new homeport, Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, Wash. on 17 October 2002, after transiting from the Navy's submarine base in Kings Bay, Ga. Strategic deterrence has been the sole mission of the fleet ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) since its inception in 1960. The SSBN provides the nation's most survivable and enduring nuclear strike capability.

Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) coal theme card / commemorative post mark on the occasion of Pennsylvania's 15th year on station, 9 September 2004.

The Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility (IMF), Bangor completed its 500th TRIDENT refit on 4 June 2004, for the Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) at Naval Submarine Base, Bangor.
This important milestone consisted of more than 36,000 production man-hours and 600 jobs performed on the submarine to accomplish planned incremental overhaul and repairs. The four-week long TRIDENT submarine refits have been accomplished at Bangor ever since the arrival of the Ohio (SSBN-726) in July 1982. IMF (formerly the TRIDENT Refit Facility) was built specifically for the purpose of maintaining the fleet at Bangor and was the model used for TRIDENT Refit Facility, Kings Bay, Georgia.
IMF has expertise in hull, mechanical, electrical, electronics, and weapons systems repair and continually responds to meet the fleet's maintenance and repair needs with on-time, cost-effective and quality service.
"It's an honor to be here at IMF as we celebrate the 500th Trident refit at Bangor." said CAPT Thomas H. Barge II, commanding officer of IMF. "Even as we mark this special event, we should remember that we got here by more than twenty years of quiet excellence, IMF civilian employees and Fleet Sailors working day-in and day-out to keep the TRIDENT Fleet ready for operations at sea."

An american submarine (Trident) leaving Pearl Harbor for commencement in Exercise RIMPAC 2004. The naval assets for RIMPAC 2004 included four U.S. Pacific Fleet nuclear-powered attack submarines, Key West (SSN-722), Louisville (SSN-724), Charlotte (SSN-766), and Olympia (SSN-717).
There are forward 5-inch countermeasures and no rear 6-inch countermeasures. If my knowledge is correct, the west coast boats had been converted to 6-inch prior to 2004 (or at least for the most part) which means that this picture is most likely of a prior east coast boat.......being either the Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) or the Kentucky (SSN-737). Also, the location of the aft draft reading typical of the east coast boats, the west coast ones usually have theirs a little more forward.

Overhead view of the Ohio class ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735), with sailors spelling out the word "Fifty" as they return to Naval Base Kitsap, Navy Region Northwest on Whidbey Island, WA. 20 July 2005.
Pennsylvania has just completed its 50th Patrol at sea and a significant moment in history for the submarine.

Gen. James Cartwright, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command; Cmdr. Dave Knapp, Commanding Officer, Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) (Gold); John Whisler, Jr. - CEO of Leo Daly architectural firm located in Omaha, Neb.; Cmdr. Michael Dobbs, Commanding Officer, Pennsylvania (Blue); Rear Adm. Frank M. Drennan, Commander, Submarine Group 9 and Captain Scott B. Bawden, Commander, Submarine Squadron 17 stand with crewmembers of Pennsylvania and the Olympic mountains in the background during the presentation of the Omaha Trophy at Silverdale, WA, 25 July 2005. The trophy was given to Pennsylvania for being the "best of the best" Trident submarine in 2004.

Chief Culinary Specialist Bryan Syster, culinary specialist division leading chief petty officer of the ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) Gold crew, takes a 40-pound odor barrier bag of plastic saved during the most recent patrol to shore for disposal on 12 May 2008. Pennsylvania is the first ballistic missile submarine to go underway with the new zero plastic waste discharge instruction and successfully saved nearly 2000 pounds of plastic.

The Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) returns to its homeport of Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor following sea trials on 19 September 2012.

Pennsylvania (SSBN-735): Saga of an Incredible One's (Part-I)

Cut out of the Ohio Class submarine.

The Launching & Christening Ceremony of the Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) on 23 April 1988.

Pennsylvania (SSBN-735), under construction at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT. 1988.

Louisville (SSN-724) slides down the building ways at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, Groton, CT., 14 December 1985. The nearly complete boomer in the background is the Tennessee (SSN-734). The other parts belong to the Pennsylvania (SSBN-735).

The officers and crew of the Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) stand on her bow during her after her launching at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT., 23 April 1988. The partly completed West Virginia (SSBN-736) appears on the left.

Pennsylvania (SSBN-735), probably during her alpha sea trials off the Atlantic coast, 1988-89.

Capt. Norman Cram, chaplain, delivers the invocation during the commissioning ceremony of the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735).

Guests depart from the deck of the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) following the vessel's commissioning ceremony on 9 September 1989.

Acrylic on canvas painting by the artist William H RaVell III entitled 'Pennsylvania (SSBN-735)'. It is currently hanging in the boat's Ward Room.

A view of an enlisted berthing area aboard the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735), 9 September 1989, at New London, CT. The lower bunk at center has been propped up to show the gear storage space located beneath it.

Scaffolding surrounds the sail structure of the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) while the submarine undergoes maintenance at the Trident Refit Facility dry dock at Kings Bay, Georgia on Mar 1992.

Crewmen gather on the deck of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) as the ship prepares to depart for sea from the Naval Submarine Base.
Note the "Lower all masts and antennas" sign in the nearby facility, November 1995.

Low oblique stern view of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) departing the Kings Bay Submarine Base under escort of two commercial tugboats.

A view of the complexity of the Ballast Control Panel on board the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735).

A view taken through the spotting periscope of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) showing the ship's stern, November 1995.

A view looking forward from the top of the fairweather sail of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) as the ship steams off the United States coastline. A lookout uses binoculars to scan the horizon.

Members of the ship's security force of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735) carry out a security drill. Note all personnel are wearing gas masks.

Quartermaster Second Class (QM2) Warrick checks the navigational chart at the plotting table in the ship's control center of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735).

Personnel are shown manning their post at the Fire Control Station of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Pennsylvania (SSBN-735).

To be continued to the "Part-II"....

The Largest Submarine in The U.S. Navy

Pakistan's Nuclear Submarine Project

In late 2011 an internet rumor spread about Pakistan's development of nuclear submarines and in early 2012, we have heard major news networks in Pakistan announce the development of Pakistan's nuclear submarines "in 5-8 years". The earliest news of Pakistan's nuclear submarine project was in 2006 when General Musharraf announced that Pakistan now has the technology to build nuclear submarines. 

The first point to ponder is that Pakistan, unlike certain other countries, prefers to develop weapon systems quietly. If this kind of announcements are coming out, in all probability Pakistan already has a nuclear submarine, or at minimum critical components, well underway. The most critical component is the nuclear power plant, and the news thus points to the development of a miniature power plant. 

RUMINT suggests that Pakistan's nuclear submarine is likely to be based on the Qing Class Chinese SSK, which Pakistan is believed to receive 6 units of. Given the giant size of the Qing Class (5,000-6,000 tons), the submarine is ideally suited as the basis for a Pakistani SSN / SSBN. RUMINT also suggests that Pakistan is seeking a smaller sized nuclear sub that sacrifices speed for simplicity and ease of maintenance. The basic idea is that instead of hydraulic propulsion, the Pakistani subs will utilize an all-electric propulsion system that is charged by the nuclear power plant. 

Such an arrangement fits in perfectly for the following reasons:

1. Pakistani SSNs/SSBNs do not need to keep up with a carrier group or large-scale task force; They are likely to operate solo, making the loss of possibly 3-5 knots in speed less relevant.

2. The Qing Class (and other SSKs) already have a highly advanced electric propulsion system. The Pakistani nuclear submarine would thus be a replacement of the diesel engine power generation with a nuclear power plant. 

3. Electric propulsion has traditionally lagged behind hydraulic propulsion, but recent advances in the former has significantly reduced the gap in performance between the two. 

4. Sets up future improvements in technology which are headed towards magnetohydrodynamic propulsion, saving on investment in hydraulic submarine propulsion which would have been a technological dead-end investment.

Taking a closer look at the possible type of nuclear power plant to be utilized, it is likely to be a small pressurized light water reactor. Such a reactor would require some R&D given that Pakistan does not have much expertise in light water reactors, and because the need for miniaturization. However, given Chinese expertise and potential assistance, this should not prove to be a difficult challenge to overcome. Moreover, Pakistan has a highly qualified and competent nuclear establishment that should be able to meet the challenge, insh'Allah.

Another potential help may have been the transfer of technology from France with the Agosta 90B submarine purchase. A number of key technologies were transferred including design and development skills and tools. Building of hulls and experience with Western subsystems, many of which are used in the French nuclear submarines would help the Pakistani SSN / SSBN, if it already has not found its way to the Chinese Qing Class.

In sum, while India is preparing her first indigenous nuclear submarine, Pakistan is well underway in making an equivalent capability upgrade. While the time-frame given in the media is 5-8 years, it is very possible that Pakistan is capable of building and fielding such a submarine in 3-5 years. The timeline for building and deploying such a sub is mainly dependent on how quickly and successfully the Indian nuclear submarine program is able to field and operate a submarine.

UPDATE:

Two rumors from Pervaiz Shamim:
1. The nuclear submarine project and the Qing Class are separate developments
2. There is a South American country, rumored to be Argentina that is interested in some form of partnership in the (nuclear submarine) project.

Although I have a high regard for Brother Shamim, I think the first point is misinformation meant to shroud China's role and the extent of the Qing Class lineage. The second issue about Argentina is very speculative but is just possible. A more realistic partner would be Brazil. I would also throw in Turkey as a collaborator. Pakistan-Turkey-Brazil-Argentina (?) I think there is definitely loose collaboration on specific subsystems and technologies between at least the first three, if not Argentina.

I do think that the Argentinians are taking a closer look at the JF-17. However, there is very little to go by in terms of Argentina-Pakistan relations, and far more in terms of Brazil-Pakistan, where collaboration has gone to the extent of transfer of technology and weapon systems such as the MAR-1s and MAA-1As, and is likely to include the A-Darter and/or the MAA-1Bs in the future.