Pakistan to acquire six submarines from China

[ironman]

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New-gen submarines: Pakistan steals a march on India

Ajay Banerjee/TNS
New Delhi, January 20

Even as India has announced its intent to have new generation diesel-electric submarines, Pakistan has gone ahead and signed a deal with long-standing ally China to produce submarines with the same technology that India wants.

The Pakistan Navy and China’s Ship Building Corporation signed a deal that got the seal of finality during the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Pakistan last December. Indian security agencies in know of the matter have cautioned the government that this could tilt the balance in favour of the Pakistan Navy in the Arabian Sea.

India is looking to spend Rs 50,000 crore to acquire six new diesel-electric submarines that will be equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology to boost operational capabilities. Conventional diesel-electric submarines have to surface every couple of days for oxygen to recharge their batteries. A submarine using AIP technology can stay submerged for 12-15 days at a stretch, thus increasing its capacity to hunt down enemy warships without being detected. Nuclear powered submarines can stay underwater for even longer periods.

Under the latest agreement, China will co-produce six AIP technology submarines with Pakistan. Currently, the neighbouring navy has only one submarine -- PNS Hamza. Pakistan is also looking at an AIP system produced by a French or German maker to fit on to the Chinese made hull of the vessel, said an official.

What is worrying for India is the known pace of Chinese construction. China could well provide three-four new generation AIP technology submarines to the neigbouring country within two years. The Chinese had supplied four frigates to the Pakistan Navy in 18 months flat! The two nations have also co-produced the single-engine J-17 fighter that was inducted into the Pakistan Air Force last summer.

For India, it could take upto five years to induct its first such submarine, as it will have to go through the process of trying out offers from various global bidders before ordering the vessels.

The Indian Navy has a bigger fleet in terms of number but it is dwindling and will be down to eight conventional diesel-electric vessels by 2015. By then, the first of the six under-construction Scorpene submarines will join the fleet followed by five more till 2018. The AIP technology vessels will follow later. Going by estimates, Pakistan would complete the induction of its fleet of AIP technology vessels by the time India starts off with its line of such submarines.

However, India will maintain its edge over Pakistan in case of nuclear-powered submarines. It hopes to induct the Akula-II Class attack submarine K-152 Nerpa on a 10-year lease from Russia in the next few weeks while the first indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant is expected to be inducted by early-2012.

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma has already declared that nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant would be on ‘deterrent patrol’ to provide the ability of a retaliatory ‘second strike’ if the country faces a nuclear attack.

The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Nation

What Worries India

* The Chinese are known for their pace of construction and could provide three-four new generation submarines to Pakistan within two years.
* It could take India upto five years to induct the first of its diesel-electric submarine.
* The Indian Navy fleet is dwindling and will be down to eight conventional diesel-electric vessels by 2015.

[Butters]

India has the option of leasing more submarines from Russia / France until the other submarines are inducted.

[notorious_eagle]

If this is confirmed, than this is GREAT NEWS. Pakistan's Naval Arm needs a serious overhaul to counter the growing might of the Indian Navy, and in my opinion the submarine arm is perfect to engage India's fleet out in the open seas. The PAF and PA are going through the proper upgrades to counter India, that is why this upgrade was an absolute essential for PN to counter the much superior IN.

India has the option of leasing more submarines from Russia / France until the other submarines are inducted.

I sincerely doubt IN would do that, the addition of these subs don't tilt the balance of power. The addition of these subs would certainly make the task of IN's objective to blockade Karachi harder, but by no means is PN in a position to engage the IN in the open seas.

[razgriz19]

i dont really think its an accurate news....
i kno PN need subs more than ever, but 6!?
4 max, BUT IF they are going for 6 then its stupid!
PN got only 1200km coast line to protect.

[farhan_9909]

6 and co produce.

song class...?

great news

[Mani2020]

There is no news on Janes neither reported by any Pakistani media source so i doubt the authenticity of this news,this article may be written just to put pressure on GOP or IN to increase the pace of induction

[flameboard]

Pakistan should get a Fuel Cell powered submarine, even the US can't track them, Germany uses that technology on it's U-212s which is doesn't sell.

Perhaps the Swedish HMS Gotland

[farhan_9909]

the news is wrong.it is nt reported in any pak media

[MZUBAIR]

Just a roumour so far

[fatman17]

New-gen submarines: Pakistan steals a march on India

Ajay Banerjee/TNS
New Delhi, January 20

Even as India has announced its intent to have new generation diesel-electric submarines, Pakistan has gone ahead and signed a deal with long-standing ally China to produce submarines with the same technology that India wants.

The Pakistan Navy and China’s Ship Building Corporation signed a deal that got the seal of finality during the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Pakistan last December. Indian security agencies in know of the matter have cautioned the government that this could tilt the balance in favour of the Pakistan Navy in the Arabian Sea.

India is looking to spend Rs 50,000 crore to acquire six new diesel-electric submarines that will be equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology to boost operational capabilities. Conventional diesel-electric submarines have to surface every couple of days for oxygen to recharge their batteries. A submarine using AIP technology can stay submerged for 12-15 days at a stretch, thus increasing its capacity to hunt down enemy warships without being detected. Nuclear powered submarines can stay underwater for even longer periods.

Under the latest agreement, China will co-produce six AIP technology submarines with Pakistan. Currently, the neighbouring navy has only one submarine -- PNS Hamza. Pakistan is also looking at an AIP system produced by a French or German maker to fit on to the Chinese made hull of the vessel, said an official.

What is worrying for India is the known pace of Chinese construction. China could well provide three-four new generation AIP technology submarines to the neigbouring country within two years. The Chinese had supplied four frigates to the Pakistan Navy in 18 months flat! The two nations have also co-produced the single-engine J-17 fighter that was inducted into the Pakistan Air Force last summer.

For India, it could take upto five years to induct its first such submarine, as it will have to go through the process of trying out offers from various global bidders before ordering the vessels.

The Indian Navy has a bigger fleet in terms of number but it is dwindling and will be down to eight conventional diesel-electric vessels by 2015. By then, the first of the six under-construction Scorpene submarines will join the fleet followed by five more till 2018. The AIP technology vessels will follow later. Going by estimates, Pakistan would complete the induction of its fleet of AIP technology vessels by the time India starts off with its line of such submarines.

However, India will maintain its edge over Pakistan in case of nuclear-powered submarines. It hopes to induct the Akula-II Class attack submarine K-152 Nerpa on a 10-year lease from Russia in the next few weeks while the first indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant is expected to be inducted by early-2012.

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma has already declared that nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant would be on ‘deterrent patrol’ to provide the ability of a retaliatory ‘second strike’ if the country faces a nuclear attack.

The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Nation

there is NO deal as yet - only talks have started - this is merely indian propoganda to justify their own arms buildup!!!

[fatman17]

there is NO deal as yet - only talks have started - this is merely indian propoganda to justify their own arms buildup!!!

quote from jane's!
"Senior Pakistani government officials have said the two countries are considering further naval contracts including deals for frigates that are larger than the F-22Ps and possibly China's first foreign sale of a submarine."

[ANG]

Hi, I understand that the PN is in talks with China on larger frigates, potentially the Type 54A, and conventional submarines. However, we have not heard much else, and only time will tell what will happen. But on a personal level, I do not believe this article as it just does not seem credible. Take care.

[Haseebullah]

First,Pakistan navy will complete the transfer of Type 022(Huobei),as it is expected,then the Type 054A,then there is a chance of a sub.

We wont be seeing 'em on the karachi port soon.

[cybertron]

even if wrong v need such news to keep GOI on its toes.
even dwindling is a soft word to show the situation of our submarine fleet.

[truthseeker2010]

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What about the other two, is the work started on them as well?