Sir no navy can totally overcome threats untill and unless the opposition is naive enough, however in case of Indo Pak scenario even the assets with lesser capabilities can be more effective, i.e If PN adopts path of Iran as we cannot afford to have surface assets on one to one basis, then even if PN is able to get and deploy stealth FACs with speeds 45+ Knots and ASHMS can pose serious threat to IN surface and naval assets.
However for time being we should focus on present position and it is quite evident that both PA and PN lack in long range/high altitude SAMs. Pak should address this issue first to minimize losses in case of any near future conflict.
Of course LRSAMs are also needed...it's up to Pak armed forces...they know better what to prioritize based on the threats Pak is facing.
As for Iran's strategy of having large numbers of fast attack crafts armed with antiship missiles...I'm not going to say whether it is a good strategy or bad strategy...I would just say that to my knowledge it is untested in practice. Antiship missiles are deadly...but in order to launch and guide them towards a target, u must first acquire a target on radar. This makes FAC ill equipped if they go up against an IN frigate for example(or any other relatively large sized ship with a more powerful radar). The enemy ship will see first and shoot first and the FAC will be taken out before it even sees a target.
However in modern warfare it seems very unlikely that a FAC will be operating like that...it is more likely that it will be operating with many other systems in the theatre. In that case the targeting information can be provided by some other asset(a drone, P3C, etc.) and the FAC can fire its antiship missile, which can be guided(by the radar which is tracking it) using datalink...until the missile's own target acquisition method can take over. In that case...the FAC just ends up serving as a launch platform and doesn't offer much other than that.
I'm not trying to belittle FACs...they have their role to play but I don't think building them in huge numbers would offer much of an advantage against a huge properly equipped Navy like the IN. Moreover I haven't seen/read about a battle where this strategy was successfully implemented and yielded advantageous results. I have read about US war gaming against such swarming tactics...which worked in that Red vs Blue scenario to a great effect but it also involved "suicide attacks" along with conventional attacks by the small boats. Here are some details about that war gaming exercise below.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Challenge_2002
Bcuz Pak has limited resources...it's a safer bet to invest in tried and true methods. That is having a capable surface fleet...which doesn't have to be matched one to one...just enough to support other assets in the battlefield and pack enough of an offensive punch while fighting defensively(for the most part). The second aspect that would help in this defensive strategy while not having to match IN on a one to one basis would be A2AD...which will mainly be done by submarines and to a lesser extent coastal defenses. Last but not least would be air support(MPAs, jammers, fighter jets, drones, etc). These 3 things working together will effectively nullify IN's numerical advantage.
P3Cs have become old and need to be replaced. We need LRMPAs to counter the submarines otherwise the Indian subs can take out our Surface fleets
P3C has long enough range to defend Pak waters against enemy submarines. It may be old but is still very capable. Though Pak is looking to replace them I don't think Pak can replace all the P3C rn. So it's probably going to be around a while.
Would Thunder have the range? It would need range in sea and by having 2 CM 400AKG, you wont be having Fuel Tanks
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Just bcuz u don't see a drop tank in these pics doesn't mean JF17 can't carry it while carrying CM400 AKG. I don't think JF17 would have any problem carrying a centerline drop tank with those CM400 AKG missiles...in terms of MTOW(unless it's due to dimensions of the drop tank and CM400). With a centerline drop tank and in air refueling...it should be able to cover Pak's territorial waters to counter enemy fighter jets or in antiship role.
