Pakistan’s acquisition of the first of eight advanced Hangor-class Chinese submarines marks a significant strategic advancement for Islamabad in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. Analysts and former Indian military officials have taken note, highlighting that New Delhi is falling behind in the underwater domain as a “greater Chinese presence” emerges in the region.
According to analysts, the introduction of the new stealth submarine by Pakistan is seen as Beijing’s strategic move to exert pressure on India. This development is expected to prompt India to bolster its naval capabilities in response.
The Hangor-class submarines, equipped with advanced technology such as air-independent propulsion (AIP) and state-of-the-art sensors, possess a notable advantage over India’s highest Kalvari class – or Scorpène-class – submarines.
Former Indian Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash, emphasized the significance of diesel submarines or conventional submarines with AIP technology, noting that none of India’s submarines currently possess AIP capabilities. He highlighted the limitations of nuclear-attack submarines, which, despite their capabilities, can be easily detected due to their noise levels.
The Hangor-class submarines boast superior underwater endurance, capable of remaining submerged for extended periods ranging from 10 to 14 days, surpassing the usual 48-hour endurance of other diesel-type vessels.
India’s submarine fleet, comprising 16 conventional submarines, faces challenges, with only six deemed operational, while the rest are nearing decommissioning. In contrast, Pakistan’s addition of the eight Hangor-class submarines will increase its total strength of AIP-equipped submarines to 11, further enhancing its naval capabilities. Additionally, Pakistan had previously installed a French AIP system in three of its existing Agosta 90B submarines in 2008.
Looking ahead, Prakash stated that India is exploring options to retrofit the AIP system into its current vessels or integrate it into a new class of submarines. However, he estimated that it would take another seven to ten years before India achieves AIP submarine capabilities.
May 4 , 2024
Source: South China Morning Post