Tim Craig is The Post’s bureau chief in Pakistan. He has also covered conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and within the District of Columbia government.
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Posted by aka in Pakistan Missiles, Pakistan Naval Strategic Strike Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Navy Ship Building, Pakistan's Strategic Forces:Always Alert, Strategic Battle Field Missiles on January 21st, 2017
‘Multi-mission missile boat to have latest weapons, sensors’ * Pakistan designs, constructs first-ever Fast Attack Craft-Missile at Karachi Shipyard KARACHI: The steel cutting ceremony of the fourth Fast Attack Craft (Missile) and two 32 x Tons Bollard Pull Tugs being built for the Pakistan Navy was held here at the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works. NESCOM Chairman Dr. Nabeel Hayat Malik was the chief guest on the occasion. The Fast Attack Craft (Missile) is a state of the art, multi-mission vessel, commonly known as the missile boat, designed by the Maritime Technologies Complex (MTC) and will have latest weapons and sensors. The first missile craft of this series PNS AZMAT was designed and constructed by the China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Corporation Ltd (CSOC) under a contract of the transfer of technology, and inducted in PN Fleet in June 2012. The second craft PNS DEHSHAT was indigenously-built at the Karachi Shipyard and commissioned in the Pakistan Navy in June 2014. The third fast attack craft has been launched in September this year and will be inducted in PN Fleet shortly. Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Nabeel Hayat Malik appreciated the accomplishment of these important milestones and urged each and every individual working in MTC and the Karachi Shipyard to put in the best towards the goal of indigenization of shipbuilding industry. He highlighted that KS&EW was consistently achieving major targets of its business plan and has become a role model for other public sector industries. He said that the indigenous design of the Fast Attack Craft (Missile) is a first step towards the goal of self-reliance in the ship design. He extended his gratitude to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah for reposing confidence in KS&EW and MTC. In his welcome address, KS&EW Managing Director Rear Admiral Syed Hasan Nasir Shah said that the Fast Attack Craft (Missile) was the first-ever missile boat being designed and constructed in Pakistan. Realization of this project has put a huge responsibility on the Karachi Shipyard and MTC for its timely and successful completion. Giving a brief progress of ongoing projects, he highlighted that all out efforts would be made to deliver these projects on time with high quality. The ceremony was attended by a large number of guests from the government, the Pakistan Navy, NESCOM and the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works.
Azmat Class Fast Attack Craft (Missile) are currently under construction for the Pakistan Navy. The first two boats were commissioned between 2012 and 2014, while the third vessel in class is expected to be commissioned in 2016.
The fast attack craft can be deployed in maritime patrol, anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, search-and-rescue (SAR) and anti-piracy missions.
The first fast attack craft, PNS Azmat (1013), was jointly developed by China Shipbuilding and Offshore Company (CSOC) and Xingang Shipyard. It was launched in September 2011 and commissioned into service in April 2012.
The Pakistan Navy entered a transfer of technology (ToT) agreement with CSOC and Xingang Shipyard to build two more vessels at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW).
The second vessel in class, PNS Dehshat (1014), was launched in August 2012 and inducted into service in June 2014.
The first steel was cut for the third missile craft in April 2015 and her keel was laid down at KS&EW in August 2015, while delivery is scheduled for 2016.
The state-of-the-art vessel incorporates a steel hull, and a super structure made of aluminium. Built according to the China Classification Society (CSS) rules and guidelines, each ship features stealthier design integrating modern missile and combat systems, as well as surface search and tracking radars.
The fast attack craft measures 63m-long and 8.8m-wide, and has a design draught of 2.46m and displacement of 560t.
The Azmat class vessels lack aircraft handling facilities due to their compact dimensions. Each ship can complement a crew of 12 to 14.
Fitted with a 25mm automatic gun as the main rifle, the Azmat class is also armed with an AK-630 close-in weapon system (CIWS) to protect the ship from incoming anti-ship missiles and other precision guided weapons.
The AK-630 CIWS is guided by radar and TV-optical detection and tracking system. The fully-automated gun mount can be remotely-operated from either the control cabinet or using a remotely-located gun-sight. The CIWS offers a rate of fire of 4,000 to 10,000 rounds a minute and can engage targets within the range of 5,000m.
The vessel is also installed with two batches of tube launchers for firing decoys / chaffs.
The Azmat class is installed with two quadruple missile launchers to fire eight C-802 anti ship cruise missiles. The C-802 is an extended-range export variant of the Chinese-built YJ-8 anti-ship missile.
The missile is capable of carrying a 165kg time-delayed, semi-armour-piercing, high-explosive warhead. It has a maximum range of 120km and can travel at a speed of Mach 0.9. The C-802 missile is equipped with inertial and terminal active radar guidance system.
Each Azmat class fast attack missile craft is powered by four diesel engines driving four fixed pitch propellers (FPPs) through a pair of two propulsion shafts. The propulsion system provides high manoeuvrability to the vessel during high-intensity missions.
The ship has a maximum speed of 30kt and can attain a range of 1,000 nmi.
Posted by admin in Pakistan Naval Strategic Strike Force, Pakistan Navy on June 9th, 2016
Is Pakistan now producing Chinese anti-ship missiles under license?
10 April 2016
By Bilal Khan
The Pakistan Navy has recently test-fired a shore-based anti-ship missile (AShM) named “Zarb.” Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) did not offer any specific information, such as range, speed, or payload weight.
Pakistan had issued a navigational warning notice several days in advance of the test. The maximum range allotted for the test was set at 300km, which was compliant with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), an international legal framework that regulates commercial missile and drone sales on the global arms market.
The Zarb was inducted to enhance Pakistan’s area denial capabilities by equipping its coastal areas with AShM-tipped launch batteries, which in turn could fire AShMs at intruding surface ships up to a maximum range of 300km.
Upon concluding the test, the Navy announced that it had formally inducted the Zarb AShM. With no prior tests registered over the Arabian Sea, and the fact that it is MTCR-compliant, it is likely that the Zarb is an off-the-shelf purchase.
That said, the specific characteristics of the Zarb AShM are unknown. Given the fact that it was tested from a coastal battery, it is plausible to suggest that the Zarb is basically the C-602.
Produced by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the C-602 is a heavy AShM capable of delivering a 300kg warhead. A heavier variant (with a 480kg warhead) is also available in the form of the CM-602G.
The idea of Pakistan acquiring the C-602 is not a surprise, but the use of a local name (i.e. Zarb) suggests that the missile is being produced domestically.
Given the added cost of such a technology transfer (i.e. to produce the missile domestically), would it not make more sense for Pakistan to acquire the C-802 instead? At this time, the C-602 can only be used from Pakistan’s coasts, there are no surface warships or aircraft capable of carrying such a heavy munition.
On the other hand, the C-802 is in use with the Pakistan Navy’s Zulfiqar-class (F-22P) frigates, Azmat-class fast attack crafts (FAC), and even the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) JF-17s. Moreover, there is nothing to stop the C-802 from being launched from land either.
The comparatively widespread adoption of the C-802 within the Pakistan Armed Forces makes it a more suitable candidate for local production than the C-602. In any case, this is speculation on our part, it still has not been confirmed whether the Zarb is being locally produced (under license or otherwise).
Posted by admin in Defense, Pakistan Missiles, Pakistan Naval Strategic Strike Force, PAKISTAN SHINING on March 10th, 2015
In recent years, India has moved toward the creation of a missile defense system and is upgrading its air force and submarine fleet. In 2012, India test-launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile, which it said has a range of more than 3,100 miles.
India’s growing defense budget is largely a result of its uneasy relationship with China. But Pakistan and India have fought three major wars since 1947. Analysts estimate that Pakistan and India possess about 100 nuclear warheads each, and nonproliferation experts say the Indian subcontinent remains a nuclear flash point.
Several Pakistani military analysts said the Shaheen-III has a range greater than that of any other Pakistani missile. The maximum range of the earlier versions of the Shaheen missile was about 1,500 miles, which meant it could not reach parts of India’s eastern frontier.
“Now, India doesn’t have its safe havens anymore,” said Shahid Latif, a retired commander of Pakistan’s air force. “It’s all a reaction to India, which has now gone even for tests of extra-regional missiles. . . . It sends a loud message: If you hurt us, we are going to hurt you back.”
Some analysts caution that the true range of the Shaheen-III could be less than what Pakistani military leaders claim. But Monday’s test could aggravate unease in parts of the Middle East, including Israel. Historically, there also has been some tension between Pakistan, which is overwhelmingly Sunni, and Shiite-dominated Iran.
Mansoor Ahmed, a strategic studies and nuclear expert at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, said, however, that Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions are focused solely on India.
India has a no-first-use policy on nuclear weapons. But Pakistani leaders have repeatedly declined to adopt a similar stance, saying they might be forced to resort to nuclear weapons should India invade Pakistan with conventional forces. The Indian army is more than twice the size of Pakistan’s and has a vast advantage in weaponry such as tanks, aircraft and artillery pieces.
Ahmed said Pakistan’s military is not interested in a “tit-for-tat” arms race with India. Instead, he said, Pakistan hopes to improve “existing capabilities,” including new delivery systems for evading an Indian missile defense shield.
Ahmed said he suspects that Pakistani scientists and engineers are working to equip the Shaheen-III with multiple warheads, which would make the missiles harder to defend against. Pakistan is also seeking to advance its cruise missile technology. Ahmed said the Shaheen-III can be fired from mobile launchers, making the missiles easier to conceal and move around in the event of a nuclear exchange between India and Pakistan.
Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear and nonproliferation scholar at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, said Pakistan has been working to make smaller, lighter nuclear warheads. A smaller warhead makes it far more likely that the Shaheen-III can really deliver a nuclear payload up to 1,700 miles.
“You would want to model it, but at first approximation, I would be surprised to learn [the range] would be widely off,” Lewis said.
The timing of Monday’s missile test caught some analysts by surprise. It occurred less than a week after India’s foreign secretary, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, visited Islamabad to meet with Pakistani diplomats in a bid to improve bilateral relations.
Although Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed interest in boosting ties with India, Pakistani military leaders are deeply skeptical of such efforts. And the testing of nuclear-capable missiles has, at times, appeared to serve as an outlet for the military to vent frustrations.
In early February, just days after President Obama signed a deal with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enhanced civilian nuclear cooperation, Pakistan test-fired a short-range cruise missile.
Shaiq Hussain contributed to
this report.
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Posted by admin in DEFENCE OF PAKISTAN, Pakistan Naval Strategic Strike Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Navy Seals on February 18th, 2015
KARACHI: Pakistan Navy and Turkish Navy will hold a bilateral naval exercise commencing on 19 Feb with an aim to enhance interoperability and operational understanding.
Turkish Navy Ship TCG BUYUKADA arrived at Karachi to participate in the exercise, which includes an elaborate Harbour and Sea phase, said a statement on Tuesday.
The visiting ship was received by Turkish Naval Attache in Pakistan and senior officials of Pakistan Navy.
The exercise being first of the series, is a landmark reflection of the historic ties between the two navies as well as a true manifestation of convergence of strategic interests of the two countries which will go a long way in promoting maritime security and stability in the region.
Pakistan Navy and Turkish Navy have been interacting since long in order to improve upon the level of coordination, interoperability and training.
The current bilateral navel exercise will lay sound foundation for subsequent exercises between both the navies in future.
Posted by admin in Pakistan Navy in 65 War on September 7th, 2014
PNS Ghazi
Since partition of the sub-continent in 1947, Pakistan and India have fought four armed conflicts, in 1947, 1965, 1971 (which led to the establishment of Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan) and the 1999 Kargil clash.
In 1965, India and Pakistan fought their second of three major wars from the issues arising from the control of Kashmir. This un-declared war broke out on August 15, 1965 and lasted until a UN-brokered cease-fire on September 22, 1965.
The war was inconclusive, costing the two sides a combined 7,000 human casualties but gaining them little.India, because of its size, population and strategic location has been trying to establish itself not only as a regional power but also as a global player. George K. Tanham, a US scholar, in his essay ‘Indian Strategic Thought: An Interpretative Essay’ has observed: ‘India’s strategic location, size, and tremendous population have contributed to Indian leaders’ belief in its greatness, its pre-eminence in the Indian Ocean region and its global importance.’
Following its well-documented strategy of “giantism”, India attacked Pakistan in the Lahore area at 0630 on 6th September 1965. Indian armed forces had a six-to-one superiority over the Pakistan defence forces with India having 867,000 soldiers as compared to Pakistan’s just 101,000 strong, spirited and professional soldiers.
While the Indo-Pakistan war-1965 saw Pakistan Air Force gaining superiority in air combat that gave Pakistan Army to fight with insurmountable willpower at Chawinda, Chumb, Sialkot sectors, Pakistan Navy did not lag behind in engaging Indian flotilla and bombarded Indian radar station at Dwarka.
“Operation Dwarka” as codenamed, will be long remembered in the annals of Pakistan Navy’s courageous expeditions, as on that day in 1965, the Pakistan Navy rose to the occasion; ever ready to perform its national commitment of defending the sea-frontiers of Pakistan.
The basic role of Pakistan Navy is to secure control of an area of the sea from any belligerent and containing enemy ships from approaching the coast and interfering with the trade and commerce. Pakistan Navy was already in the state of high alert providing seaward defence and within few minutes the ships cast away to perform the most sacred and singular duty of safe-guarding it’s Sea-frontiers from Indian aggression.
At that time, the Submarine Ghazi was the only submarine that the Pakistan Navy had in 1965. The PN submarine was deployed off Bombay to look after the heavy units of the Indian Navy. It spread a reign of terror in the rank and file of Indian warships and they could not come out of the harbour-including the aircraft carrier VIKRANT.
It was this blockade that enabled the Pakistan fleet to move in and blast the Indian naval fortress of Dwarka. The objectives of operation were: (a) to draw the heavy enemy units out of Bombay for the submarine GHAZI to attack; (b) to destroy the radar installation at Dwarka; (c) to lower Indian morale; (d) and to divert Indian Air effort away from the north. On 7 September 1965, PNS BABUR, PNS KHAIBAR, PNS BADR, PNS JAHANGIR, PNS ALAMGIR, PNS SHAHJAHAN and PNS TIPU SULTAN were tasked to be in position 293 degrees – 120 miles from Dwarka light house by 071800 E/Sep with maximum power available.
These ships carried out bombardment of Dwarka about midnight using 50 rounds per ship. At midnight, the ships were on Initial Position (IP) with all their guns loaded and the men ready to strike a historic strike on enemy’s face.
The city of Dwarka was completely blacked out and target could only be identified on radar. At 0024 bombardment was ordered to commence when ships were 5.5 to 6.3 miles from Dwarka light. It took only four minutes to complete the bombardment, firing altogether about 350 rounds on the target.
There was no appreciable resistance from the enemy and the ships safely arrived at their patrol area by 0635 on 8 Sep. According to some independent sources, one submarine, PNS Ghazi, kept the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant besieged in Bombay throughout the war.
Although the valiant expedition at Dwarka was a “limited engagement”, yet 4 ½ minutes of bombing at Dwarka had unprecedented implications on the morale of our troops.
The success of the Dwarka operation is attributed to the unflinching sense of alacrity to serve the nation beyond the call of duty marked by highest sense of patriotism and sacrifice.
Though the war was indecisive, India suffered much heavier material and personnel casualties compared to Pakistan. Many historians believe that had the war continued, with growing loss and decreasing supplies, India would have been eventually defeated.
Hard work over the past years had paid dividends. Our officers and sailors never allowed the numerical superiority and the weight of the armaments to effect their morale. Pakistan Navy Day is celebrated on 8th September every year throughout in Pakistan.
It is celebrated on the memory of martyred sailors who gave sacrifices of their life for the defence of the country. Pakistan Navy celebrates this day to tell the young generation of Pakistan that how sailors were brave at the critical time and were proud of offering sacrifices of their lives for the defence of Pakistan.
6th September 1965 remembers those who sacrificed their precious lives for the country and they are the source of inspiration to defend their country against any aggressor. Pakistan Navy derives immense source of motivation every time the month of September approaches.
Drawing inspiration from the unparallel conducts of the 1965’s war heroes, the naval personnel displayed personal example of valour during national catastrophes thereafter.
The lessons learnt from 1965 war, found its new dimensions when the navy sailors undertook the challenging and thrilling task with high spirits in the wake of floods-2011. Torrential rain and flash flooding continue to torment Pakistan’s Sindh province, affecting at least 700,000 people and forcing 60,000 from their homes till August 31, 2011.
The sailors of Pakistan Navy had been relentlessly shifting people from the dangerous places to the safer areas. The track record of Pakistan Navy was that it had rendered very useful services in rescuing and rehabilitating the victims after every inland flood, internal strife, bomb blast disposal, anti-dacoit operations, train accidents, etc.
Many equate the spirit manifested by the sailors during the most recent natural catastrophes like “Tsunami-2004”, “Pakistan Earthquake-2005” and “Pasni flash floods” with that of 1965 fervour. They are right in doing so, as the personal example of valour set by the naval officers and personnel during these national contingencies, revived the memories of the spirit exhibited in 1965 war. Pakistan Navy has been proactively engaged in eradicating the international piracy and succeeded in thwarting number of piracy attempts, like, support to MV SUEZ by PNS BABUR, rescuing Panama Flag Carrier MSC KALINA from 5 pirate skiffs. The latest episode of terrorist attack on PNS Mehran (a heavily guarded facility of Pakistan Navy, located along Shahrah-e-Faisal) by 10 armed militants, was successfully countered by the brave PN commandoes and security personnel.
Pakistan Navy was crafted out of Royal Indian Navy by Forces Reconstruction Committee (AFRC) on the Independence Day of Pakistan. The Pakistan Navy was given charge of two sloops, two frigates, four minesweepers, two trawlers, four harbour launches with some 3580 personnel consisted of 180 officers and 3400 sailors.
Since then Pakistan Navy has been a proud defender of Pakistani waters and has never let any enemy vessel offend the 700 km long shore line of Pakistan along Sindh and Balochistan.
Pakistan Navy today, has become a responsible four-dimensional force: Surface ships; aircraft; submarines and the Special Service Group of Navy/Marines. Pakistan Navy is boosting these four components through intensive training, induction of new sophisticated sensors and equipment in line with modern trends, especially surveillance through maritime Unmanned Air Vehicles.
The induction of indigenously made F-22P frigates, “QING” class 6 nuclear sub-marines, fast attack ‘Stealth’ Craft” equipped with 8 surface-to-surface missiles from China and the acquisition of six modified P3C aircraft with latest avionics/sensors from United States into
Pakistan Navy will significantly add to the combat potential of Pakistan Navy
Fleet. Today, Pakistan Navy is proudly defending the sea-frontiers as well as protecting the maritime interests of Pakistan.
Pakistan Navy’s submarine arm has a great fighting tradition and has created a name for itself in combat. During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, when Pakistan had only one submarine, acquired a year earlier, it was able to bottle-up the Indian Navy while operating outside Bombay (Mumbai) harbour. It was a vertual blockade conducted not against merchant ships but against Naval ships who were reluctant to leave the safety of ports for fear of a lone submarine PNS-M GHAZI, operating in Indian territorial waters outside Bombay.
PNS-M GHAZI under the Command of Commander (Later Admiral) K.R. Niazi operated in Indian territorial waters from 6 to 23 September 1965 and sank two two Indian Warships during the period. The officers and sailors of GHAZI including her Captain were given ten operational awards for gallantry in operations during combat. These included two Sitara-i-Jurat and two Tamgha-i-Jurat.
On the second day of the 1965 Indo-Pak War, Pakistan Naval flotilla ships, BABUR, BADR, KHAIBAR, TIPPU SULTAN, SHAH JAHAN, JAHANGIR and ALAMGIR sailed out of Karachi and headed south towards the Indian Naval base at Bombay. The flotilla was under Commodore S. M. Anwar, Commander of the fleet who flew his flag on board the Cruiser PNS BABUR. The object of this deep sea-foray was to entice the Indian Navy out of their ports and give them battle at Sea. Where they could be dealt with by the submarine GHAZI in conjunction with the surface fleet. The Indian Navy’s Western flotilla based in Bombay stayed in port, discretion being the better part of valour, and did not accept battle. On its return passage the Pakistan flotilla bombarded the port of Dwarka hoping that the Indian Naval frigate TALWAR would sail out from Okka next door. But TALWAR also decided to stay in port.
Pakistan Navy’s performance in the 1965 Indo-Pak War is vividly described by India’s Vice Admiral Mihir Roy, a former Commander of the aircraft carrier VIKRANT and Commander-in-Chief of India’s Eastern Naval Command, in his book ‘War in the Indian Ocean’ published in 1995. He writes, ‘But the Bombayites failed to understand the lack of success by the Indian fleet, especially with sirens wailing, Jamnagar attacked and Dwarka shelled. But nonetheless, the naval bombardment of Dwarka with the Indian fleet still preparing to sail was an affront to the sailors in white, who could not understand what was holding the fleet back’.
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