A force to be reckoned with, PN Submarine Force was raised in 1964 as a lead Sub-Surface arm of Pakistan Navy and being the first in South Asia. It has a commendable past history spanned over nearly 56 years. It is also conferred with the responsibility of carrying out Clandestine Military Reconnaissance and Intelligence as well as conducting the precision strikes on enemy positions from underwater platform.
Pakistan Navy Celebrates Independence Day with Traditional Fervour
Pakistan Navy Command & Staff Conference reviews geo-strategic environment, national security
Pakistan Navy Submarine Force has maintained a brave posture when the first submarine PNS/M GHAZI (Ex-USS DIABLO) which was built in the United States and commissioned on 15th June 1964. It laid the foundations of the submarine service vis-a-vis training of crew. She took an active part in the Rann of Kutch crisis and in 1965 war. During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, GHAZI was able to bottle-up the Indian Navy while operating outside Bombay (Mumbai) harbour. It was a virtual barrier conducted not against merchant ships but against the Indian Navy that remained reluctant to leave the safety of ports because of enormous fear inflicted by a single submarine GHAZI, operating valiantly in Indian territorial waters outside Bombay.
Pakistan Army, Navy rescue, relief efforts continue in flood hit areas of Karachi
Pakistan Navy releases promo for special documentary film “Surkhro”
[bs-quote quote=”During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, GHAZI was able to bottle-up the Indian Navy while operating outside Bombay (Mumbai) harbour.” style=”style-8″ align=”center” color=”#dd0000″ author_name=”Aliya Nasir” author_job=”Lecturer, NUML”][/bs-quote]
In 1971, PNS/M GHAZI was deployed off East coast of India to draw a pull on IN Fleet employed along her west coast, thus diluting IN force quantum against PN surface assets and Pakistan bound shipping to a great extent. The submarine offered her eventual sacrifice while engaged in offensive mining operation off Vishakhapatnam in Dec 1971. The submarine and her crew, comprising 11 brave Officers and 82 sailors, embraced martyrdom during this war.
‘6th September a golden chapter in our history’, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi
Army Chief lays flowers at Martyrs’ Memorial at GHQ Headquarters
Prior to 1971 war, 03 x Daphne class submarines were also inducted in the PN Fleet from France between 1969-1970. These were commissioned as HANGOR, SHUSHUK and MANGRO. These units also took active part in the 1971 war along Indian west coast. After the demise of PNS/M GHAZI in 1971, 4th submarine of Daphne class was named after her. The submarine was sold to Pakistan through France and commissioned on 17 January 1977 and took part in various national and international maritime exercises in Arabian Sea and the Gulf.
[bs-quote quote=”The submarine offered her eventual sacrifice while engaged in offensive mining operation off Vishakhapatnam in Dec 1971. The submarine and her crew, comprising 11 brave Officers and 82 sailors, embraced martyrdom during this war.” style=”style-8″ align=”center” color=”#dd0000″ author_name=”Aliya Nasir” author_job=”Lecturer, NUML”][/bs-quote]
The pride of PN, PNS/M HANGOR sank IN Destroyer INS KHUKRI and damaged INS KIRPAN along Kathiawar coast and is proudly ranked as first conventional submarine of the world to score successful hits against surface units in combat since WW-II. This act of courage and valour earned Submarine Squadron 04 Sitars-e-Jurrat, 06 Tamgha-e-Jurrat and 14 Imtiazi Asnad. PNS/M HANGOR is peculiar in the sense that she won highest number of gallantry awards during combat, unprecedented in Pakistan Navy till now.
Our land, naval and air forces showed exemplary courage in the 1965 war: President
Pakistan Navy’s fire power display – stability through deterrence
Feeling the need for further expansion of the submarine squadron, Pakistan Navy purchased two AGOSTA 70 Class submarine in 1978, also from France. These were named HASHMAT & HURMAT and arrived in Pakistan in 1979 and 1980 respectively.
[bs-quote quote=”The pride of PN, PNS/M HANGOR sank IN Destroyer INS KHUKRI and damaged INS KIRPAN along Kathiawar coast and is proudly ranked as first conventional submarine of the world to score successful hits against surface units in combat since WW-II.” style=”style-8″ align=”center” color=”#dd0000″ author_name=”Aliya Nasir” author_job=”Lecturer, NUML”][/bs-quote]
Pakistan Navy Submarine HASHMAT was commissioned on 19 February 1979. She left France on 1 October 1979 and arrived in Pakistan on 30th of the same month. Since its induction in the Pakistan Navy, PNS/M HASHMAT has always been an efficient unit of submarine force and the Navy. She has actively participated in all the major exercises at home and abroad. Pakistan Navy Submarine HURMAT was commissioned on 18 February 1980. She left France on 11 August and reached Pakistan on 13 September 1980 and was efficiently integrated in PN enhancing war potential of PN manifold. Both submarines are equipped with modern weapons and sate of art sensors and they continue to remain the pride of PN Submarine force.
Perception Inversion: India’s Paranoia with Pakistan Navy’s Expanding Footprint
Pakistan Navy ready to defend maritime borders: Naval Chief
PNS/M KHALID is the first of the AGOSTA 90B Class submarines acquired by the Pakistan Navy from France. It was commissioned on 6 September 1999 and inducted into PN Fleet on 21 December 1999. The Agosta 90B is an improved version of the sea proven Agosta 70. The second submarine of AGOSTA 90-B class was launched on 24 August 2002 and commissioned in Pakistan Navy on 13 December 2003. PNS/M SAAD was the first AGOSTA 90B class submarine built at Pakistan Navy Dockyard under the Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement with France. This submarine has all the capabilities similar to PNS/M KHALID. PNS/M HAMZA, the third AGOSTA 90B submarine that has been completely built at Pakistan Navy Dockyard was commissioned into Pakistan Navy Fleet on 26 September 2008.
[bs-quote quote=”Submarines are considered as a strategic asset in the context of a total force and significant operational assets.” style=”style-8″ align=”center” color=”#dd0000″ author_name=”Aliya Nasir” author_job=”Lecturer, NUML”][/bs-quote]
AGOSTA 90B Submarines are fitted with MESMA Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system. The submarines major systems (Weapons & Sensors) were upgraded to enhance its combat potential and lethality. PN has also contracted for 08 x HANGOR class submarines from China in near future. The keel laying of first 02 x Submarines has already been done at Wuhan shipyard China.
PNS Tabuk and Pakistan’s Maritime Security Apparatus
PNS Tabuk: Another feather in the cap
Admiral Fasih Bokhari Sounds the Concluding “Ring off Main Engines”
Submarines are considered as a strategic asset in the context of a total force and significant operational assets. They can contribute significantly in all the three areas of maritime operational warfare; sea control, sea denial and maritime power projection. They are a vital element in any serious naval power’s order of battle and noting the fact that surface forces opposing a submarine threat need to build up a defensive frame that is complicated, expensive and vulnerable.
Transfer of Gwadar to Pakistan & First Naval Footprint
Historical Saga of Heroics: Pns/M Hangor in 1971 War
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for the latest news, updates and interesting content!
optimal