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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
India indeed racing toward its respective national security objectives by pursuing longer term objectives where it is seeking for developing and improving its naval sector by introducing new and sophisticated naval technology. The way India is portraying their maritime strategy, the Indian presence in the Indian Ocean is a threat to China and also in the region for Pakistan because of its extending military capabilities. The Indian objectives in the Indian Ocean are to maintain and project her status as a regional maritime power, get an offensive maritime strategy. Therefore in order to counter the India's oceanic influence Pakistan must not sit idly rather to seek for developing some defensive strategy in order to counter India's naval threat. Now the main instinct behind Pakistan's development of submarine would be India as usual. this thing would ultimately led to arms race in the region thus making the region volatile and prone to war.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, for US Navy also, India trying to project some annoying irritating power projection. But, did they really could do that, mean, to override those US interests in the region, nope, of-course!! First of all, India must mitigates those border clashes with her neighboring countries, then try to understand the values of those neighbor's interests also. Then only, India can agitate world politics taking hands with her neighbors. Otherwise this a fake dream to be regional super power, even, for India because there are countries like China-Pakistan-Bangladesh-Burma-Thailand, whom India can't ignore to the facts to being legitimated regional power.
DeleteThere are many channels between India and Pakistan which faced acknowledged asymmetry. It is the state’s security dilemma which compels to go for counter weapons in order to secure oneself. Arms race is been depicted in entirely different between these two countries. Pakistan focused on qualitative advancement.
ReplyDeletePakistan acquires handsome amounts of technical know-hows and other logistical knowledge through manufacturing military hardwares inside the country which in term step forwarded Pakistan in the field of manufacturing fighter jets (JF-17 Thunders, K-8 Karakorum Jet Trainer, Musshak et Trainer), Artillery Guns & MBTs (Al-Khalid specially), Warships (F-22P Frigates) etc. Its true that, India is the world's biggest arms importer, so this is a lucrative sector doing business with India.
DeleteIrrespective of several naval accidents, India is modernizing its naval capabilities rapidly. Induction of nuclear subs and other Russian made conventional warships, created serious threats for the security architect of neighboring states. Particularly, Pakistan, which hasn't possessed any nuclear sub, feels great need of nuclear submarine. Pakistan sees it the best way to counter Indian threats.
ReplyDeleteI think Pakistan very well under way to build their own Nuke Sub, because China helping them massively to design a nuke boat based on existing latest Chinese conventional sub like Qing class. And also, I just gained a few knowledge about, Pakistan running a project named KPC-3 to build a pressurized light water reactor for submarine, which running since 2003.
DeleteAnother thing I believe strongly, if the project wasn't the smooth way to success it would make some noises, due to the fact, Pakistan has a tradition now a days that they don't make much sounds about their successive military projects before the product/service rolling out!!