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Archive for category Pakistan Navy Seals

Golden Jubilee of Pakistan Navy War College: Reminiscences of a great institution by Admiral(Retd) Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Sri Lankan Navy

Posted by admin in Defense, Pakistan Naval Strategic Strike Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Navy in 65 War, Pakistan Navy Seals on January 28th, 2022

 

The Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore, celebrated its 50th anniversary, last month. The Pakistan Navy War course conducted by this prestigious College is ten months long and includes a number of industrial visits, military exercises and a foreign tour. Approximately 70 students, majority of them from the Pakistan Navy and two each from the Pakistan Army and Air Force attend the course besides 10 officers from friendly countries. I followed the 24th course in 1995/96. The College was then located in Karachi and known as ‘Pakistan Navy Staff College’.

Foreign officers and their families were provided with accommodation. I was there with my family. My son was only three-years-old and he started attending Kindergarten while I was following the course.

Pakistan military personnel are very fond of their Sri Lankan counterparts. They always help us. Thanks to a generous stipend from Sri Lanka, we lived very comfortably in Karachi and I had the opportunity to take part in Inter-Staff College sports activities.

Out of the distinguished foreign alumni of the War College, eight officers commanded their navies during the last 50 years—Major General Rowland Leslie Makandu of Tanzania Navy in 1989, Staff Brigadier Khaflan Al Room UAE Navy in 1996, Major General Said Shusan Omary Tanzania Navy in 2006, Staff Major General M Al Muhammad Ahmed UAE Navy in 2005, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Othman Bin Hj Suhaili Royal Brunei Navy in 2005, Rear Admiral Houssain Khamzadi Islamic Republic of Iran Navy in 2007 and Colonel Hishan Kharkiv Aljarrah Royal Jordanian in Navy 2013.  I became the Commander of the Navy of Sri Lanka in 2015. I am the only foreign alumnus to become a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Armed Forces. Further, I am the only recipient of the highest medal awarded by Pakistan – Nishan-e-Imtiyaz (Military) medal (Order of Excellence) from the Pakistan President at a special investiture Ceremony in February 2019 in Islamabad.

 I was invited to the celebrations as a guest of the Pakistan Navy Chief.

The Golden Jubilee celebrations commenced with the alumni dinner. The Chief Guest was Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, the Chief of Naval Staff, Pakistan. He has been the Commandant of PN War College.

Seated next to me was a tall, very smart elderly gentleman who introduced him self as “Vice Admiral Tasnim retired from the Pakistan Navy”. During our brief conversation at dinner, he mentioned that he was 86 years old and he  had undergone his basic naval training at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), Dartmouth, UK with “Midshipman Asoka De Silva” in 1950!  I immediately recognised his class.

Old Royalist rugby player Asoka de Silva represented Navy Rugby team as full back. He has commanded ships and craft and served in high positions in Trincomalee, Jaffna and Naval Headquarters. When he was Chief of Staff of our Navy, he encouraged me to join them.

Admiral Asoka de Silva was the 9th Navy Commander of Sri Lanka from 1983 to 1986. His son, Sajith, was one year senior to me at  Royal, and we both were keen scouts. Vice Admiral Tasnim said he had been in PN Staff College serving as Directing Staff member (instructor) and later became the Commandant.

That night with the intention of finding more details about this veteran Pakistan Naval officer, I consulted Google Guru. I keyed in “Vice Admiral Tasnim of Pakistan Navy”. What a surprise!

He and his crew became heroes in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. He Commanded Pakistan Navy Submarine PNS Hangor and patrolled the Arabian Sea.

However, naval action was somewhat different. Indian Admirals towed three missile boats by bigger war ships and targeted the Karachi port and fuel tanks there; the port was in flames  for many days.

However, the action of Pakistan Navy Submarine PNS Hangor (S- 131) (nickname Shark) led to the sinking of Indian Navy ASW Frigate on 9 Dec 1971 off the Gujarat coast. It was the first time following the World War ll, a submarine was able to sink a warship!

The then Lt. Commander Ahmad Tasnim was the submarine Commander. It is very difficult for surface ships to detect submarines. Main sensor on surface-and-air warfare does not work underwater as electro-magnetic waves (radar) do not travel through water. Electro-magnetic waves move at the speed of light in air. Therefore, we use sound waves, which, however, have a very limited range.

INS Khukhri Sunk By Pakistan Navy’s  Submarine PNS Hangor

The speed of sound moving through water depends on three factors—pressure (which increases with depth), temperature and salinity. The greater the pressure, the higher the speed. The same is true of temperature and salinity. So, detecting a submarine by using equipment called SONAR is a very difficult task. There are two types of SONARs– active and passive. Active SONARs are the ones that transmit sound waves and enable us to listen to the echo of the target. Passive SONARs are just hydrophones that help us listen to under water sounds. (The present-day Bangladesh Navy Chief (Admiral Sheen Iqbal) and I were Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) specialists, following the same course in 1989/90 at ASW school, Cochin, India.)

During the 1971 war, on 09 December Pakistan Submarine PNS Hangor targeted two Indian Frigates, INS Khukri and INS Kirpan . INS Khukri was sunk with two torpedoes whereas INS Kirpan survived the attack. The Captain of the sinking Indian Ship Khukri, Captain Mahendra Nath Mullar decided to go down with the ship following the tradition of seafarers. He was awarded with second highest gallantry medal of India, Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) posthumously. INS Khukri is the only ship Indian Navy has lost in battle to date. Eighteen officers and 176 sailors of Indian Navy died in this attack. Only 64 survived.

There is so much to learn from sea battles. The Sri Lanka Navy also should also build up a small submarine unit as Bangladesh and Myanmar have done.

Edited Version 

Courtesy Reference

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Naval Feet of 36 Nations Begin Naval Exercise “AMAN 2017” By Pakistan Army Channel

Posted by admin in Pakistan Naval Strategic Strike Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Navy Seals, Pakistan Security, Pakistan Security and Defence: Enemy & Threats (Internal & External), Pakistan's Strategic Forces:Always Alert on February 10th, 2017

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KARACHI: Naval platforms of nine participating countries arrived here Thursday to participate in Multinational Naval Exercise AMAN 2017 organized by Pakistan Navy.

The exercise will be held from February 10-14.

Over 36 countries are participating in the exercise, which will help in enhancing interoperability with regional and extra-regional navies thereby acting as a bridge between the regions.

It will also project a positive image of Pakistan as a country contributing towards regional peace and stability, said a press released here Thursday.

Being held since 2007, AMAN 17 is 5the edition of this series of Multinational Exercises.

Upon arrival, the visiting ships were given a warm welcome by Senior Pakistan Navy Officials while catchy tunes of National Songs played by PN Band. Officials of the consulates of the respective countries also present in the reception.

Participation details; of different countries are as follows:

1. USA Navy has participated in AMAN 09, AMAN 11 with naval assets and Special Operation Forces during AMAN 07. This year, USA Navy is participating with 04 Naval ships namely USS AMELIA EARHART, USCGS MAUI, USCGSAQUIDNEK and USS TYPHOON.

2. Chinese (PLA) Navy has been an active participant in all AMAN exercises. It has participated in AMAN 07, AMAN 11 and AMAN 13 with naval assets whereas in AMAN 09 it participated with Special Operation Forces team. In AMAN 17, Chinese Navy is participating with 03 ships namely HARBIN DDG 112, HANDAN FFG 575 and DONGPHINGU AO 960 with Senior Capt. Bai Yaoping it’s Mission Commander.

3. Russian Navy is participating in this series of exercises for the very first time with 03 ships namely SEVEROMORSK, ALTAY Tugboat, and DUBNA tanker. Its Special Operations, Forces are also part of this exercise. The Russian contingent’s mission commander is Capt. Stanislav R VARIK.

4. Japanese Navy is participating for the 4th time in this series of exercises with their 02 P3C Orian aircraft led by Commander Daigo Tsubokura.

5. Australian Navy is also participating for the 4th time in this exercise with naval assets.

This year .its ship HMAS ARUNTA is arriving to participate in the exercise led by Commander Cameron Steil, Ran.

6. Indonesian Navy is participating in this series of exercises for the 2nd time. It has earlier participated in AMAN 09. Indonesian Navy ship KRI SULTAN ISKANDARMUDA is led by Commander Rio Henry Muko Yumm as its Mission Commander.

7. Turkish Navy has participated in previous exercises with their Special Operation Forces teams. Turkish Navy is taking part in the exercise for the first time with Ships. Turkish ship TCG GELIBOLU is commanded by Commander Ali Tuna Baysal.

8. Sri Lankan Navy is participating for the 2nd time with its assets. Earlier, they have participated in AMAN 13. Sri Lankan Navy Ship SLS SAMUDRA is commanded by Capt. JP Premaratne.

9. Royal British Navy has participated previously in AMAN 07, AMAN 09 and AMAN 13.This is their 4th participation in this series of exercises. HMS DARING will join the exercise this year commanded by Commander M J C Hember Mam. The Mission Commander from Royal British Navy is AVM Ed Stringer.

During this exercise, participating units will rehearse various naval operations to enhance interoperability. The aim of this multinational ship’s exercise is to display united resolve against terrorism and crimes in the maritime domain.

Courtesy & Copyrights Acknowledgement

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63jA5OamTrE

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Pakistan, Turkish Navies to hold bilateral Naval Exercise

Posted by admin in DEFENCE OF PAKISTAN, Pakistan Naval Strategic Strike Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Navy Seals on February 18th, 2015

 

Pakistan, Turkish Navies to hold bilateral Naval Exercise

17th February 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.

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PAKISTAN NAVY- A FORCE TO BE RECKON WITH : A TOUR OF PNS SHAMSHEER

Posted by farrukh in Pakistan Naval Strategic Strike Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Navy Seals on July 5th, 2013

 

 

 

F-22P Zulfiquar-class frigate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
 
F-22P PNS Zulfiquar.JPG
The F-22P frigate PNS Zulfiquar
Class overview
Name: Zulfiquar (Sword) class
Builders: Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works,Karachi
Hudong Zhonghua shipyard, Shanghai
Operators: Naval Jack of Pakistan.svg Pakistan Navy (PN)
Preceded by: Type 053H3 frigate
Cost: USD $175 million
Planned: 4
Completed: 4
Active: 4
General characteristics
Type: Frigate
Displacement: 2,500 tonnes (standard)[1][2][3]
3,144 tonnes (full load)[4]
Length: 123.2 m (404.19ft)
Beam: 13.8 m (45.27ft)
Draught: 3.76 m (12.34ft)
Propulsion: CODAD (Combined Diesel and Diesel)
2 × Tognum MTU 12V 1163 TB 83 @ 10.5MW, and 2 MTU cruise diesels @ 6.6MW.
Speed: 29 kn (54 km/h) maximum[1][2]
Range: 4,000 nmi (7,400 km)
Complement: 170 crew
Sensors and
processing systems:
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
Armament:

Guns:

Missiles:

Other:
Aircraft carried: 1× Harbin Z-9EC ASW helicopter
Aviation facilities: Flight deck and enclosed hangar
Notes:

Ships in class include:

  • PNS Zulfiquar (251)
  • PNS Shamsheer (252)
  • PNS Saif (253)
  • PNS Aslat (254)

The F-22P or Zulfiquar Class Frigate (Urdu: ذوالفقار ‎ English: Sword class), is a general purpose frigate being built by Pakistan and China for the Pakistan Navy (PN). The first ship, PNS Zulfiquar, was handed over to the PN on 30 July 2009[5] and the second, PNS Shamsheer, on 23 January 2010.[6] The third frigate, PNS Saif was commissioned on 15 Sep 2011. The fourth and last frigate of F-22P series, PNS Aslat was inducted on 18 April 2013. [7]

 

History

Pakistan had been negotiating with China for the supply of 4 frigates since the late 1990s. The contract was signed on 4 April 2006 with the conclusion of negotiations for financing and technology transfer. The first ship was delivered in 30 July 2009, second 23 January 2010 and third one at 15 December 2010. The first three were being built at the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, China, while the last is under construction in Pakistan byKarachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) to be completed in 2013. The $750 million contract also includes 4-6 Harbin Z-9EC anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters [8] as well as ammunition for the frigates. According to one Chinese source Pakistan ordered four more F-22P frigates in 2007, although this has not been confirmed.[9]

The lead ship, PNS Zulfiquar, was launched on 5 April 2008[10] and handed over to the Pakistan Navy on 30 July 2009.[11][12] On the way to Pakistan, the frigate made a goodwill visit to Port Klang, Malaysia, in late August 2009. Another goodwill visit was made to the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, during which the PNS Zulfiquar‘s Commanding Officer Captain Zahid Ilyas visited the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, at the Navy Headquarters on 5 September.[4] PNS Zulfiquar arrived at Karachi, Pakistan, on 12 September 2009 [13] and the induction ceremony was held on 19 September 2009.[14]

The second frigate of the Zulfiquar class, PNS Shamsheer, was launched at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard on 31 October 2008.[15][16] On 19 December 2009 it was commissioned in a ceremony at Shanghai,[17] and arrived in Pakistan on 23 January 2010. The third frigate of the Zulfiquar class, PNS Saif have been handed over to Pakistan Navy on 15 September 2010.[18] The Fourth & final Frigate of the contract PNS ASLAT which is indigenously built at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Ltd commission on 17 April 2013 [19]

According to Admiral Noman Bashir, Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy, the Navy intends to expand its fleet of F-22P frigates from the current four by constructing more ships. These may be an improved variant incorporating features of the Type 054A frigate, possibly designated F-23P, for which discussions have been held between Pakistan and China.[20]

Design[]

The F-22P hull uses many of the radar cross-section reduction features of China’s Type 054 frigate to help it evade detection by radars mounted on other ships, aircraft and anti-ship missiles.[21]

76 mm main gun

The 76.2 mm calibre main gun is a Chinese development of the Russian AK-176M, the main difference being that the Chinese variant adopts a re-designed stealthy turret to reduce radar cross-section. The gun is designed to engage ships, aircraft and anti-ship missiles. In front of the main gun are two 6-cell RDC-32 anti-submarine rocket launchers.[3]

The frigate’s primary surface-to-surface missile armament comprises eight C-802 subsonic anti-ship missiles carried in two launchers with four cells each, fitted between the foremast and the funnel. These containers are also compatible with the CY series anti-submarine rockets and may be loaded with a combination of anti-ship and anti-submarine weapons.

FM-90N surface-to-air missile launcher

The FM-90N surface-to-air missile (SAM) system is fitted between the main deck and main gun. The launcher has eight cells each containing one missile and is fitted on a mount that can be elevated and traversed in the direction of the threat. The FM-90N can engage several targets, including supersonic and sub-sonic sea-skimming missiles, using different guidance modes simultaneously. The system is also designed to engage small targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).[22][23] However, the FM-90 has limited engagement angles as compared to a SAM fired from a vertical launch system. Also, the FM-90 has inferior range,and is also non-reloadable, hence it is not suited for blue water patrol

A close-in weapon system (CIWS), the Type 730B, is mounted on the aircraft hangar. Comprising two seven-barrel gatling guns of 30 mm calibre, the F-22P is believed to be the first ship armed with the Type 730B,[24] which uses off-mount sensors such as the Type 347G radar and the OFC-3 electro-optic director. The guns are mounted side-by-side on the aircraft hangar, with the off-mount sensors in between. The CIWS can be upgraded with the FL-3000N fire-and-forget missile system by installing up to two single-round FL-3000N launchers on each existing CIWS gun mount.

Graphical design of the F-22P frigate

The Harbin Z-9EC anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter is equipped with a surface-search radar, low frequency dipping sonar, radar warning receiver, doppler navigation system and armed with torpedoes.[25] The helicopter can be armed with one torpedo on the starboard side.[2] A small antenna on the roof may provide a data-link, allowing the Z-9 to act as a relay for targeting data between the ship and long range anti-ship missiles such as the C-802.[26]

Ships]

Name Pennant Laid down Launched Commissioning
PNS Zulfiquar 251 12 October 2006 5 April 2008 [5] 19 September 2009 [14]
PNS Shamsheer 252 13 July 2007 31 October 2008 [27] 19 December 2009 [28][29][30]
PNS Saif 253 4 November 2008 28 May 2009 15 September 2010
PNS Aslat 254 [31] 10 Dec 2009 16 June 2011 [32][33][34] 18 April 2013[35]

8pm with Fareeha Idrees (Exclusive Programme on… by waqtnews

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Host China invites Pak Navy cadets to join Int’l Cadets’ Week

Posted by Fawad Mir in Pakistan Naval Strategic Strike Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Navy Seals on May 10th, 2013


 

pak navy by pak defence blog by mubashir taqiBEIJING, Apr 25 (APP): Lauding ongoing successful cooperation between the navies of the countries, China has invited Pakistani naval cadets to participate in the International Cadets’ Week to be held in June at the Dalian Naval Academy of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. According to PLA Daily, the invitation was extended at a meeting held between visiting Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila and Wu Shengli, member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and commander of the Navy of the PLA held in Beijing on April 22. 200px-Naval_Ensign_of_the_People's_Republic_of_China.svgWu Shengli informed the CNS that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 61 years ago, the friendship between China and Pakistan has grown from strength to strength, and the friendly relations have won popular support among their people. The two countries support and closely cooperate with each other on major international issues and their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership has been developing constantly, Wu noted. The relations between the two militaries are close as it was evident by the deep cooperation in various fields including personnel training and equipment. He also mentioned the mechanism for defense and security consultation between the two ministries that has become a good channel for the two militaries to strengthen communication and deepen pragmatic cooperation. The two navies have witnessed steady advance of reciprocal visits among high-ranking officers, pragmatic and in-depth reciprocal visits of warships and highly effective exchanges between academies, Wu noted. He pointed out that both the navies have vigorously conducted cooperation in carrying out escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off the Somali coast. Wu Shengli said  that the PLA Navy always cherishes its friendly relations with Pakistan Navy, treats it sincerely and regards it as a good brother and good partner on the basis of equality. PLA Navy is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation with Pakistan Navy so that they support each other on the development road for common progress. Admiral Asif Sandila said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with the China. He expressed the confidence that the two navies will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation at various levels and in different fields, so as to further constantly promote the relations between the two sides.

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