BY : Commander Anees Muhammad Khan (Retd)
During the intense conflict with India, planes of Pakistan Air Force with their missiles breaking the war stamina of our adversary were all over the TV screens and social media. Pakistan Army with its Fateh Missiles and actions along Line of control (LoC) was also all over the news. They deserve the gratitude of nation. But all along what was visible, there was another potent force of Pakistan which was silently operating in the sea with complete radio silence so to be undetected by the enemy and give them a fatal blow, when instructed, Pakistan Navy (PN). It has demonstrated its vital importance during this conflict not just in defending maritime borders but also in ensuring the very sustenance of the nation’s war efforts. The navy’s proactive measures in maintaining the openness of Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs), Karachi & Port Qasim port, its operational readiness, and strategic deployments have been instrumental in supporting the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force in their offensive roles.
The concept of open Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) is fundamental to a nation’s ability to wage and sustain any prolonged conflict. These sea routes serve as the arteries through which essential supplies, including fuel, food, and raw materials, are transported. Imagine, for instance, that during the said conflict, an oil tanker en route to Karachi from Persian Gulf being struck by an enemy missile. This single event would have triggered a cascading effect, leading to potential critical shortage of fuel across the country. Merchant vessel would have seized there operations to Pakistani ports. The war surcharge and insurance allowance would have doubled to upto $200000. Container prices would have rocketed from $450 to over $2000 per container.
Therefore, the Pakistan Navy’s primary objective during this conflict was to guarantee the unhindered flow of maritime traffic along these crucial SLOCs. By effectively denying the Indian Navy access to Pakistan’s territorial waters and maintaining a secure maritime environment, the PN has ensured that these vital supply lines remain open and operational. This success is a direct contribution to the continued effectiveness of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force on their respective fronts.
Further, from the outset of the recent tensions, Pakistan Navy was at its highest state of readiness across all its platforms. In line with established SOPs, PN Ships & Submarines were deployed earlier at designated areas loaded with its formidable arsenal of anti-ship missiles, to launch upon receiving instructions from Naval Headquarters. This visible preparedness served as a potent deterrent against any potential Indian Naval aggression. The Pakistan Navy’s proactive posture and effective deployment of its assets successfully kept the Indian Navy at bay. Pakistan Navy managed to maintain a defensive buffer zone, effectively preventing Indian warships from venturing closer than 400 nautical miles from Pakistan’s established maritime zones. This significant standoff distance ensured the safety of Pakistan’s coastal assets, ports, and the crucial SLOCs that feed into them. By denying the Indian Navy the ability to operate within striking range of Pakistan’s vital maritime infrastructure, the PN has played a pivotal role in securing the nation’s logistical backbone during this critical period and denial of opening of a war theater in South.
Indian media was proudly projecting their Aircraft carrier as a potent platform which can inflict damages to Pakistan’s fleet and port. INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, has faced significant operational challenges since it’s commissioning. Designed to carry up to 36 aircraft, including 26 fixed-wing fighters, the carrier currently operates with only 8 to 12 MiG-29K aircraft. This limited air wing is barely sufficient for the carrier’s self-defense, let alone for extended offensive operations, especially when compared to international standards where a carrier’s air wing is expected to provide comprehensive air superiority and strike capabilities. The MiG-29K fleet itself has been plagued with operational reliability issues. Due these constraints, Indian Navy deployed INS Vikrant close to their ports away from Pakistan’s territorial waters for effective patrolling or power projection. Further, the carrier’s completely lack capability to operate in contested environments, especially where there is a credible threat from surface and sub-surface platforms of Pakistan. INS Vikrant is thus more of a liability than an asset to the Indian Navy.
PN Submarine Wing has always been a force multiplier for the nation. Much prior to the Indian beginning of aggression, PN submarine fleet was strategically deployed in designated operational areas to avert any overt hostilities. These silent sentinels acted as a significant deterrent, posing a substantial threat to any Indian warships attempting to approach Pakistani waters. Any incursion by Indian naval vessels into Pakistan’s maritime zones would have undoubtedly resulted in catastrophic losses for them, given the Pakistan Navy’s underwater capabilities.
The complete ‘Sea Denial’ to Indian Navy with over 150K personnel & 150 Ships fleet comprising Conventional and Nuclear Submarines, Destroyers, Frigates and Missile boats coupled with Aircraft carrier, is no mean feat for a comparatively smaller navy in size like Pakistan. It’s a testimony of the deterrence which PN can create and which was very rightly acknowledged by Indian Navy Chief Admiral DK Tripathi in Dec 24.
It can be thus safely concluded that Pakistan Navy’s actions during recent Pak-India conflict have gone beyond mere territorial defense. By ensuring the uninterrupted flow of supplies through open SLOCs, maintaining a high state of readiness with its missile capabilities and strategically deployed submarines, and effectively deterring the Indian Navy from approaching its maritime zones, the Pakistan Navy has directly contributed to the resilience and continued operational effectiveness of the entire national defense apparatus. It is said that in case of famine, all the wolves’ sits in a circular formation and the one who wink first becomes a feast for others. This analogy underscores the critical nature of maintaining vigilance. In the recent standoff, the Pakistan Navy proved to be the unblinking guardian, with its strength and readiness ensuring the safety of the nation’s maritime arteries.
The writer is associated with the National Institute of Maritime Affairs Islamabad and can be reached at cdranees@gmail.com
