Jliu are you aware of any plans about Pakistan's procurement of a nuclear sub? I ask this because back in 2004 or 5( i'm not sure about the year) a defence analyst was quoted saying on Jeo tv that when the chinese president will visit Pakistan,president Musharraf will discuss the possibility for acquiring a nuclear sub as it is high on his agenda.
The short answer is that a SSN would simply be too taxing for Pakistan's naval budget if one was developed indigenously in terms of infrastructure, sunk R&D costs, operating costs and the like. In addition, TRADOC is simply not there and there are serious survivablity issues due to the PN only operating out of Karachi and maybe Gwadar in the future although even that is in range of a incremental-mod Brahmos LACM.
When Hu visited in 2005, he declined to give Pakistan a nuclear deal that Musharraf had asked for identical to the one Bush offered to the Indians. This effectively killled off any continuing PRC assistance with Pakistan's military nuclear applications.
He felt short of saying whether it will be a nuclear powered sub or a sub that can fire a nuclear tripped cruise missile. But no news so far. It might be for a reason because of the high secrecy that is involved with the Pakistani defense procurement system, one usually don't hear about anything at all.
He was referrring to the latter, ie. Babur integration onto the Agosta 90s.
What do you think is it possible specially after the fact that India is acquiring nuclear subs on lease and that will only shift more the already shifted (strategic) balance in India's favour.
The strategic numerical balance has always been in India's favour but due to the nuclear arms program and the subsequent 'Lost Decade' the qualitative balance has shifted to India too. Grave critical mistakes identified from a strategic perspective are:
-The nuclear program which is not consistent with the country's strategic aims of a 'peaceful neighbourhood' to guarantee developement of both social and economic infrastructure. Instead, the tactical doctrine of 'minimum deterrence' has been allowed to take precedence over eco/social development which has critically weakened the social fabric of the country. It has also diverted critical resources and continues to do so from Pakistan's conventional modernisation of which Pakistan is almost entirely export dependent for assets such as quality fighters, submarines and MBTs that would have given the Pakistani Armed Forces a qualitative edge over the Indians.
-The failure to establish close relations, especially defence related with Israel and the utterly provocative decision to send PAF assets to engage the IAF at a time when Israel was under grave danger-forcing the Israelis to close with India with positive spinoffs for India's own nuclear program as well as conventional build up opposite Pakistan.
Pakistan will now be forced to rely even more on non conventional arms to offset India's massive strategic advantages should it continue to adhere to the doctrine of 'minimum deterrence'. To conclude my answer to your question SLCM armed SSKs will comprise the strategic naval section of Pakistan's response.