Naval forces play a very important role in the defense of any country. Mostly around the world, naval forces are fantasized and idealized. In Pakistan there is not much of media or dream-like hype about navy as compared to army or air force. But this has proven as a blessing in disguise. Quietly and steadily extensively, these forces have developed their infra structure, weapon system, ships and submarines in the past few decades. Here we will look at the basic defense system adopted and employed by Pakistan Navy.
Pakistan Navy Ships Drills
Pakistan Navy Aman Exercise
To start with, Pakistan Navy weapons are deployed and used by various ships having quite diverse categories of platforms. They are equipped with missiles to perform water to surface, anti-air, anti sub marine, search and rescue missions, and anti-piracy missions; to name the few.
F-260 PNS Alamgir
Pakistan navy ships are categorized into various classes. It has 2 Jurrat and Jalalat II class missile boats which carry anti ship missiles. Both these are locally produced. Pak Navy had also acquired two MRTP-33 and MRTP-15 (missile boats) from Turkey, thus strengthening their capabilities. Pak Navy acquired fast attack missile boats – Azmat class – equipped with C802/803 anti-ship missiles from Turkey.
F-22P Zulfiqar Class Frigate
All Pakistan Navy warships are divided into different classes, some of which are as follows:
| Ship | Quantity |
| Frigate | |
| F-22P Zulfiqar class | 4 |
| F-260 PNS Alamgir | 1 |
| Tariq class | 5 |
| Mine Hunter | |
| Munsif Class | 3 |
| Fast Attack Craft | |
| Jurrat Class | 2 |
| Jalalat II class | 2 |
| Azmat Class | 2 |
| Larkana Class | 2 |
| MRTP-33 | 2 |
| MRTP-15 | 2 |
| Hovercrafts | |
| Griffon Class | 12 |
| Coastal Patrol Boats | |
| Gulf Craft | 17 |
| Patrol Boats | |
| Various classes | 140 |
In addition to war ships, the air arms also constitute a major force. PNS Mehran is the carrier of all the aviators. 111 ASW Squadron is equipped with Sea King helicopters. 222 ASW Squadron has 6 ZN-C helicopters. 333 ASW Squadron has seven Alouette aircrafts. 27 ASW Squadron (fokker), has the capability to perform multiple tasks. 28 squadron (P3C maritime strike squadron) is the backbone of Pak Navy as it has the duty to perform various tasks, including tracking, air, surface submarines attacks, radar system, multiple weapon load etc. 29 ASW Squadron (Atlantic) again has unique and varied responsibilities.
Pakistan navy Tariq class ships.
Pakistan Navy Submarines are assigned with many tasks and roles; to improve and maintain the operational availability of all the submarines and X crafts and also to improve the safety standards of these crafts. SSF (submarine services forces) are the major aggressive forces of Pakistan Navy. Following is the list of the Pakistan submarines:
| Submarines | Quantity |
| S20 class | 8 |
| Agosta 90B class
PNS/M Khalid PNS/M Saad PNS/M Hamza |
3 |
| Agosta 70 class
PNS/M Hashmat PNS/M Hurmat |
2 |
| Idigeneous nuclear submarines | 1 (on going project) |
| Cosmos Class
X-craft |
3 |
Current and future projects include the nuclear weapons equipped submarines and aircraft carrier program. Pakistan Navy had finalized their deal with China to build 4 submarines in China and four in Pakistan, by 2020. These projects will greatly enhance Pakistan’s defense capabilities.
Agosta 90B class
It must be noted that this article is not by any means an exhaustive account of Pakistan Navy services and accomplishments. It is just a glimpse into present and future, showing how a relatively newer force in the world is working and managing to fill a qualitative and quantitative gap in the region and the world.
Also Read: Zarb Missile Pakistan Navy New Weapon of Defense
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