Blockading the Gwadar Port

Blockading the Gwadar Port

The Indian navy exploring new options to blockading the Chinese built Pakistani economic port in Gwadar, which is currently being in final phase of construction. Blocking the supply routes is the known strategic key to attain superiority in the conflict. In all the previous war Indian Navy provide better support to the Indian armed forces by blockading and destroying the Pakistani economic supply routes.

Pakistan shifts it's major shipping lane slight away from Karachi due to the Indian navy's superiority in the region. The Gwadar port is currently being in construction with the Chinese assistance to provide substantial shipping route to Pakistan. Gwadar port is closely guarded by the Pakistani navy, whose western naval command situated few meters away from the commercial port.

China is also assisting the port construction and laying fast lanes to access major Pakistani cities, The port expected to be operational before 2020. After that Pakistan use the Gwadar as main economical shipping port by reducing the Karachi port's economical activities.

Compared to Karachi, Gwadar is located far away from the Indian navy's missile range, that navy earlier had upper hand against the Pakistani navy's infrastructure in Karachi. Karachi is the first victim of many war that India and Pakistan fought earlier. Karachi is some 800 kilometers away from the Naval base in Mumbai, while the Gwadar is some 1200 kilometer away from Mumbai, which is very difficult to maintain full spectrum naval blockade.

Pakistan also gets some modern missiles for it's navy, The air launched C 802 AShM and the YJ 62 Coastal missile batteries. Those long range high subsonic sea skimming missiles are the major threat to the Indian navy, if IN tries for a naval blockade close to Karachi and in Gwadar. Those missiles had far strike range, reportedly over 300 kilometers.

So IN needs to keep away from some 500 kilometers off from Pakistani shores. Pakistani air force also operates one JF 17 squadron dedicated for maritime strike role, carrying two C 802 missiles per aircraft. PAF also in talks with the Russian's to supply one Su 35 S squadron to replace the older JF 17, since the JF 17 range is very small and its a single engine light aircraft.

Another is the Pakistani navy Agosta class submarines, The PN's Agosta 90B's are modern and capable to launch Exocet anti shipping cruise missiles. PN operates three modern Agosta 90B's. In comparison, Pakistan navy is the least equipped force in the Pakistani armed forces. The reason why they planning to add another eight modern S 20 SSK's from China.

So if IN wants to put a complete Naval blockade on  both Karachi and Gwadar, they must keep away some 500 km off from Pakistani shores. Since those AShM threats are usually in large scale. So navy can think about the Submarines alone.

The Navy's western fleet had better surface fleets, as well as submarines too. INS Vikramaditya is the flag ship of western naval command operates along with modern Kolkata class destroyers, Delhi class Destroyers and Talwar class frigates. It also had newly upgraded Kilo class submarines and modern Kalvari class submarines. Western command also had better ASW platforms like P8, Tu 142 and IL 38 SD's.

IN's fleet operates as a group only, as they performed the same since decades. All the above said warships had better destruction capability, however Barak 8 is the only better air defense systems in the fleet which is employed in the Kolkata class ships.

It's very hard to penetrate the IN's battle group with PN's Agosta's. Since IN operates few Submarines and ASW plane to hunt the Pakistani submarines in first wave of attack. Also new upgrades in the IN Ships with Towed array sonar and Mareech ASW system provide better cover for the fleet from PN's submarine threat.

As already said, IN needs to operate 500 km off from Pakistani shore, due to the AShM threat, also IN had no missiles that can strike such long range. So the only essential option is the MiG 29 K with Kh 31 AShM. Those MiG's can go close to some 100 km near Pakistani shores. Since Pakistan will not have any modern long range air defense missiles, Their JF 17 is short in legs, F 16 maybe busy to dealing with the IAF.

INS Vikramaditya can launch 20 MiG 29 K against the PN's surface targets. while keeping two to four for combat air patrol over the fleet. Vikramditya can capable to perform more than three such sorties per day. MiG 29 K is the only available option to blockade the Pakistani ports in future conflict.

IN desperately need Nirbhay missiles in it's fleet to perform cruise missile strike on Gwadar port, And it's clear when the Gwadar is operational, Navy too get long range cruise missile Nirbhay in its fleet. 

Stalled Pakistani naval Modernization Programs

Stalled Pakistani naval Modernization Programs

    The Pakistani Naval power slowly depleting day by day without having any future programs, except some newly planned submarine acquisition program from China, The Surface fleet of Pakistani Navy sinking day by day without having proper modernization and no future inductions. Pakistani's one and only known ally China also hesitate to provide  their top class Type 52 Destroyers.

    Pakistan has small coast line, who having no real threats from foreign nations. The Indian Navy too won't engage first until Pakistan fired the first shot. Pakistan has nearly 700 kilometers long coastal line bordered with Iranian waters and Indian waters each side.

    Pakistan Navy has quite good submarine fleet comprising AIP powered Agosta 70 and 90 B Class, Pakistan Navy operates five modern submarines, they also capable to fire Excocet anti shipping cruise missile, Those submarines gives under water protection to any threats posed by Submerged and Surface vessels.

    Pakistan also plans to buy eight Chinese S 20 class submarines, which also powered by diesel electric and propelled by AIP. Pakistan also has plans to customize last two of the S 20 in Pakistan by adding ballistic missile launch techniques.  By looking, Pakistan have better plans for safe guarding their waters from underwater threats. Due to smaller coastal line, Pakistan has very few strategic locations to hide their submarines,

    Foreign Navy's along with their satellites can easily track Pakistani submarines at any time, Pakistan have only two Naval bases who can accommodate those Submarines, One is situated in Karachi and another is Ormara. So it's very easy to keep watching those Naval bases 24x7 to track almost all Pakistani Submarines.

   On the other side, Pakistan Navy's surface fleet has no future, except some cutters and missile boats, Pakistan's primary anti shipping cruise missile is the Chinese made YJ 8 cruise missile, and the major warships like ex US and UK Frigates in service with Pakistan navy has older generation Harpoon missiles.

    Pakistan also have a dedicated fighter squadron for maritime purpose, Two squadron of JF 17 has been configured to carry C 802 anti shipping missile, Pakistan also has seven P 3 anti submarine aircraft's who can also delivers Harpoon missiles.

    Attacking Pakistani Naval ship is very easy job for the Indian Navy's naval air arm and the Surface ships. Almost all the Indian front line Naval ships has long range air defense umbrella to protect the vessel from broad range of threats, Indian Ships also have better sensor and processing system, Those new Kolkata class ships has AESA multi purpose radars for long range target detection and act as a fire control radar too.

  Pakistan has only one Naval frigate who has a long range surface to air missile, that's the Ex US Navy Oliver perry class frigate dubbed as PNS Alamgir. The arm launched SM 1 MR missile has a interception range of more than 60 kilometers. The Ship also has Harpoon missiles too. PNS Alamgir is the only ship in Pakistan Navy who poses  deterrence against India.

    Pakistan has no clear path to build a major warship in his house, Because the west or America won't give the much sophisticated sensor and processing systems to Pakistan, However they get full support from China and Russia, Pakistan also has options to get new warships from Russia and China, The cost only matters, That's why Pakistan builds and buys only small craft's like Missile boats and corvette's.   

    However Almost all Indian Navy's Anti shipping missiles  better in terms of reliablity and performance also have far strike range capability, from American Harpoons, French Exocet, Russian Kh 35 and the Indian Brahmos all have stand off capability, If Indian Navy launched a barrage of supersonic and subsonic cruise missile against the Pakistani ship there is no way to survive against the attack.

    Indian Navy has the prime target that's the Pakistani Navy, In all war against Pakistan, Indian Navy didn't shown any mercy to Pakistan, If Indian Navy gets order of free hand, Pakistani Navy can be destroyed in matter of days. During the 1971 war The Indian Navy scored more than 2000 enemy kills which include sinking of two major warships, one submarine and eleven other vessels. As the economic blockade Navy sinks 18 major cargo or communication ships.

Pakistani Deterrence, Chinese Boats and Korean Missiles

Pakistani Deterrence, Chinese Boats and Korean Missiles

Chinese S 20 SSK

         Pakistan reaffirming its stand for a modernized naval force, has signed a deal with the Chinese for eight advanced diesel electric submarines equipped with AIP systems. The submarines will be built in a Chinese yard and will be delivered to Pakistan in the least possible time frame.

         Pakistan has stressed upon modernizing its aging and depleting naval force. Due to its limited defence outlay, Pakistan has reaffirmed its stand to modernize the underwater arm and to look at building naval vessels and has turned down reports of it acquiring an aircraft carrier. To a country which mainly depends on contribution and transfer of weaponry from USA to modernizing its force, this is an over stretch program in any means. America for well over a decade is trying with all its might to check the expansion the Chinese forces in the IOR and Pacific regions.

        With Pakistan aligning itself with the Chinese it has to be seen if America will really fund this ambitious project of Pakistan. China has been working with all its resources to lure the countries in the IOR to be part of it’s over ambitious “Pearl of String”. Pakistan has already drawn up plans with China to strength the mutual relationship they share, China has agreed to invest in developing Pakistan and has agreed to build roads to help connect Pakistan with central China which will help in developing the trade. The MOU signed for Chandar port  has strengthened the ties between the countries.

Is this a threat to the Indian Navy?

          Yes it is!! But it’s a threat India can handle and there is not many things India has to be concerned of. The P75 and P 75 I are slated to increase the Indian navy submarine warfare significantly. The under test Arihant and the other vessels of the class promise to provide India with a guaranteed Second strike capability and Indian navy is expected to get around four submarines of this class.  The submarines Pakistan will be opting for are conventionally powered subs and are basically hunter killer submarines and cannot perform deterrence patrol missions and come with their own set of drawbacks.


          These submarines can pose a serious threat to India’s CBG’s and forward operating vessels, but thanks to the superior Anti-submarine warfare measures the Indian navy is equipped with. The ASW has received importance, the commissioning of modern ASW vessels and the procurement of P8I long range surveillance aircrafts are a few measures the Navy has taken.

       The North Korean forces have successfully test fired a MRBM from an modified Diesel electric submarine, the exact platform used to test fire the missile is yet to be released, US had recently published images of modified North Korean submarines having two Silo's capable to launch large size ballistic missiles. But surprisingly the North Koreans fired a Russian made modified R 27 IRBM with more than 4000 kilometer operational range.





      This development has shocked the western bloc, while countries with access to advanced technologies are struggling to take minute steps in the field, North Korea has made a leap that could have needed years for the other countries. It’s debatable how the sanction imposed country could make such developments even as its citizens struggle for the basic amenities.  Chances of North Korea developing on its own are a very bleak possibility but at the same time outside help to the crippled nation is very much evident.

          Pakistan had initially floated tenders to acquire six submarines from the Chinese but over time the final numbers have increased to eight. China is believed to be offering the S-20 which is based on the Type-039A/Type-041 Yuan-class submarine and is believed to be developed for exports. The sub comes with VLS tubes for Launching YJ-2 (YJ-82) anti-ship missiles, arming the submarine with Pakistani missiles is possible, but most of the Pakistani Missiles have to be  redesigned to fit inside the submarine and the technology required is very demanding. Pakistan acquiring a second strike capability through these subs is very minimal and these submarines are not designed to be equipped with ballistic missile capabilities. The Koreans are known to have pacts with Pakistan and the international community strongly believes the involvement of the North Koreans in Pakistan nuclear program.

        The few questions which have plaques the minds of several countries will be answered soon once the Pakistani submarines surface and the questions of the Korean development will be shortly answered by the international community. It has to been seen if the Pakistani’s will ever with Koreans for they run their machines through the US treasury and involvement with the Koreans will surely bringing it to a grinding halt. 

Editor Karthik Kakoor

North Korean SLBM

Pakistani Agosta Boat

DPRK SLBM Test