Aamir Hussain
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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Basically, we are both saying the same thing - the economy has to rebound for us to go ahead with such a plan.
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we don't require an aircraft carrier but by 2020 we should be in talks for one.
we don't require an aircraft carrier but by 2020 we should be in talks for one.
to have a navy like south korea or japan we need to have a economy like them....
Instead of Aircraft Carrier PN should focus on Subs and Frigates if possible N-subs
because Aircraft carrier will be only useful in attacking role so they might not require them and even maintaining a carrier is too costly
There is no such thing as ideal. I like Hon Aamer Husseins approach. There is a minimum requirement and beyond that is how much we can afford. PN has always been treated as a step sister of the armed services and comes last when the limited resources of Pakistan are allocated among the three services. IMO a credible navy is a must for any sovereign nation. Therefore we need to determine the minimum level of deterrence required to counter the perceived threat.
Our main threat remains the very powerful Indian Navy. Therefore in order for the PN to perform her primary task of keeping the sea lanes clear we need in the order as noted below:
1. Cheapest and easiest way to block sea ports/lanes is to lay mines on the approaches to the ports either by submarines or by aircrafts. A fleet of efficient mine clearing vessels is a must to keep ports working. I would say a minimum of 4 Mine hunters would be needed.
2. In 1971 PN had no answer to the missile firing Ossa boats of the IN. Missile boats also provide inexpensive means to defend coastal waters. I would say about 8-10 modern guided missile boats of say 200 to 300 tons class should suffice.
3. Oldest and the truest stealth weapon is a submarine. Submarine is however essentially an offensive weapon. I would think that about half a dozen hunter killer modern submarines with AIP should be enough to pose a serious threat to any enemy warship threatening to block approaches to Pakistani ports.
4. Modern naval battles have turned into aircraft battles since the famous battle of Midway. Besides, India has an aircraft carrier with MIG 29N aircraft. To counter this threat PN needs long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft to spot the possible threat, modern anti ship missile firing aircrafts to destroy the intruder and finally at least a squadron of modern fighters to protect the missile firing aircraft.
Considering the small size of Pakistans coast line; 8 PC-3 Orions equipped with Harpoons and a squadron of JF17 with about 10 carrying Exocet AM-39 with the balance 8 providing fighter cover should suffice.
5. A credible surface fleet is also needed to defend against the large number of surface vessels of the IN threatening sea lanes. I would guess that about 10 frigates/destroyers for anti aircraft/ anti ship defence along with about 6 corvettes for anti submarine defence should suffice. It is understood that the frigates as well as corvettes would each have an armed helicopter as well.
6. In addition to that above PN needs about 8 gunboats for anti smuggling operations along with a few tug boats and supply ships as well as about a dozen helos for Search & Rescue and liaison work.
In the light of the above minimum deterrent requirements of PN are:
Surface fleet:
4 mine hunters, 10 frigates/destroyers, 6 corvettes, 8 missile boats, 8 gunboats, 3 tugs, 3 supply ships/fleet oilers, 1 training ship.
Submarines:
6 state of the art submarines.
Naval aviation:
8 PC-3 Orions, 18 Jf-17 or F-16s capable of carrying anti ship missiles, 6 Search & Rescue helos, 16 armed helos to complement frigates and corvettes and a few helos and light aircrafts for inter base liaison.
Once the above requirement has been fulfilled, PN would need offensive blue water capability to ambush enemy vessels far from our shores. For this additional 4 to 6 modern submarines capable of firing cruise missiles and another 4 to 6 modern frigates also capable of firing cruise missiles should be more than enough. In the unilkely event that we can afford it, a nuclear submarine would provide a very credible offensive capability. Dont think PN would need anything beyond this to counter the perceived threat from our neighbours in the the near future.