Pakistan navy came into being on August 14, 1947 with the birth of Pakistan. At the time of creation the service was called Royal Pakistan Navy. At around 0800 hours on August 14, 1947, the flag of Rear Admiral J. W. Jefford, Flag Officer commanding Royal Pakistan Navy was hosted on his flag ship HMPS Godavari. The admiral’s first signal addressed to the officers and men of the RPN was flashed to all the ships and shore installations.
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RPN has the distinction of awarding first guard of honor to the Quaid-e-Azam.
At the time of independence an Armed Forces Reconstitution Committee (AFRC) was formed to divide the assets of Royal Indian Navy between both countries navies. As a result of this committee RPN received two frigates, two sloops, four minesweepers, two trawlers and four harbor launches. Total number of personnel was around 3580 of which 180 were officers while 3400 were personnel of different ratings.
Soon after independence training establishment HMPS Himalaya, first commissioned as gunnery and radar school for RIN in 1943 was expanded into a combined training establishment housing the signal, torpedo and anti submarine, tactics, navigation and direction, supply and secretariat and cookery schools.
On April 15, 1948 HMPS Qasim was commissioned as a coastal defense establishment on Manora Island.
On October 13, 1948 HMPS Zulfiqar was converted into first survey ship of the navy.
On December 01, 1949 HMPS Karsaz was established as first mechanical training establishment and was set up on Manora Island.
In 1952 PN Torpedo Depot was established at West Wharf.
On September 23, 1953 HMPS Shifa was commissioned as the navy’s first hospital ship.
A dock was purchased from Italy and was commissioned as HMPS Iqbal. The graving dock was opened at PN dockyard Karachi on September 07, 1954.
In 1956 the word Royal was dropped and Royal Pakistan Navy was re-designated Pakistan Navy.
In 1968 PNS Iqbal was commissioned for special services group of the navy.
In 1969 Navy replaced its khaki uniform with white uniform
In 1970 PNS Peshawar was commissioned as the depot for PN Dockyard. In the same year Pakistan Naval Academy was established as PNS Rahbar. During same year PNS Abdoze was commissioned as a depot for submarine service.
In 1971 first PN Staff Course commenced at the PN Staff College in Karsaz Area.
During 1974 Naval Headquarters was shifted from Karachi to Islamabad and PNS Zafar was commissioned for PN personnel.
In 1976 the maritime headquarters with coastal surveillance system was inaugurated at Clifton, Karachi along with PNS Haider as its depot.
In 1981 Pakistan Naval Engineering College was established and commissioned as PNS Jauhar.
In 1986 PNS Bahadur was commissioned as training center for seaman branch personnel.
On January 01, 1987 Maritime Security Agency was established.
In 1987 first naval establishment on Makran coast at Gawadar was established and commissioned as PNS Akram. During the same year base camp was also commissioned at Ormara followed by a remote data station at Mianwali.
In 1992 PNS Aatish was commissioned as missile depot at Maripur.
In 1994 PNS Nigran was commissioned as the depot for Naval Provost Branch.
On June 08, 1996 PNS Punjab was commissioned as a depot unit at Lahore.
In 1996 PNS Raza was commissioned as an Air Store Depot.
In 2000 Jinnah Naval Harbor was commissioned.
Surface Combat Fleet:
At the time of independence on August 14, 1947 the Royal Pakistan Navy consisted of two frigates, two sloops, four minesweepers, two trawlers and four harbor launches.
From 1947 till 1956 RPN continued to operate the surface fleet it had inherited from division of the assets of the Royal Indian Navy and no new surface ship was added.
In 1956 British government and Pakistan government announced agreement on the acquisition of surface combatants. These warships included a cruiser and four destroyers.
During 1956 to 1963 Pakistan navy also acquired two destroyers, eight minesweepers and an oiler.
After 1971 war Pakistan navy started a modest acquisition plan in the form of Chinese missile and torpedo boats. Between 1972 and 1980 Pakistan navy acquired 12 Slughter class attack fast patrol boats, 4 Hunain class attack craft and 4 Huchwan class hydrofoil craft.
During the same period PN also acquired 6 Ex-US Gearing class ships.
During the era of 80’s the development and growth of Pakistan Navy was immense. It almost doubled the number of surface ships it had from 9 in early 80’s to 16 by late 80’s. Major reason for this was the military support navy received from USA. During this period Pakistan Navy leased from USA eight Brooke and Garcia class frigates. Navy had hoped to continue using these ships beyond the five year lease however USA relations with Pakistan cooled down during 90’s and the ships had to be returned after expiry of their lease term. The return of these ships in 1993 and 1994 seriously hampered navy’s operations.
In 1988 navy acquired from UK two ex-Leander class frigates and extensively modernized them in 1991-93.
To cope with the situation navy acquired from UK six Type 21 ex-Amazon class frigates in 1993-94. To meet the future requirements of navy these ships were modernized.
In January 1994 navy commissioned into the fleet first indigenously build large patrol craft PNS Larkana. Success of this project led to the building of more crafts including missile launch capable.
Since creation of navy in 1947 its anti mine warfare capability was insufficient. To address this three new French built mine hunters were acquired. The first vessel Ex-Sagittaire was commissioned in 1992 as PNS Munsif, the second PNS Muhafiz was commissioned in 1996 and third PNS Mujahid in 1997. Acquisition of these ships brought the much needed advancement in navy’s Mines Countermeasure (MCM) capability.
In 2005 a contract was signed between Government of Pakistan and China Ship trading Company for the purchase of four F-22P frigates. These are modified version of Type 053H3 frigates. Three frigates shall be built in China while the fourth shall be built in Pakistan under TOT basis. The first ship has been handed over to Pakistan navy in August 2009 and commissioned as PNS Zulfiqar. The second ship has been commissioned as PNS Shamsheer and shall arrive in Pakistan during December 2009 or in January 2010. Third ship is under construction in China and shall be commissioned in 2011 while the fourth is being constructed in Pakistan and shall be commissioned by 2013.
Submarine Force:
Pakistan navy entered the second dimension of sub surface warfare with the addition of ex-US Trench submarine in 1964 as PNS Ghazi. Pakistan Navy became the first force in Indian Subcontinent and the second navy after Indonesia in the Indian Ocean countries to operate a submarine.
During early and late 70’s Pakistan Navy acquired from France 4 Daphne and 2 Agosta class submarines. These submarines were modified to carry harpoon missiles in 1985 thus enhancing their effectiveness.
In order to modernize the submarine force in 1994 Pakistan Navy signed contract with DCN of France for the purchase of three Agosta 90B submarines. According to the contract first submarine was built in France, the second was constructed in France but assembled in Pakistan while the third was constructed in Pakistan under Transfer of Technology agreement.
The first submarine PNS Khalid was commissioned in 2000, the second PNS Saad in 2003 while the third was commissioned in 2008.
In order to further modernize and improve submarine force it was decided to procure three more submarines. In 2008 media reports indicated that U-214 a German submarine has been selected, however no agreement has been signed as yet. Latest reports indicate that French have also entered the competition though it is not yet clear which submarine is being offered by them. Only time shall tell who wins the contract but induction of new submarines has been decided by the navy.
Naval Air Arm:
On September 28, 1974 navy entered the fourth dimension of the warfare with the induction of first of six Westland Sea King helicopters acquired from UK. Squadron III was established for these helicopters as PNS Mehran on September 26, 1975.
In 1975 four Atlantic maritime patrol aircraft were acquired from France. This also marked the beginning of fixed wing aircraft in navy’s service. Squadron 29 was established for the Atlantic aircrafts.
In 1977 six Allouette helicopters were purchased from France and squadron 333 established.
In 1982 Fokker F-27 aircraft were acquired and squadron 27 formed.
In 1994 three Lynx helicopters were acquired from UK and squadron 222 formed.
In 1996 three P3C Orion aircraft were acquired from USA and were inducted in squadron 28.
Four Z9EC helicopters have also been ordered by the navy with F-22P frigates from China. First helicopter has been received with the first frigate in August 2009 while second is expected in December 2009 or in January 2010. A new squadron shall be raised for these helicopters.
Special Services Group (Navy) & Marines:
In 966 Pakistan Navy entered the third dimension of the warfare with the raising of Special Services Group (Navy). After 1965 war it was felt that a special force should be established which could be used for covert operations against enemy shore based facilities and the units at sea or in harbors. As a result training volunteers for frogman/special operations began in 1966. Shortly after forming the capabilities of this elite group were enhanced through the acquisition of midgets, chariots and combat/auxiliary equipment. The training of the volunteers for special services group (navy) is conducted along the lines of British Special Boat Squadron (SBS), British Special Air Services (SAS) and US Navy Seals. Initially basic training of SSG (N) was conducted at Diving School PNS Himalyiaand the advance at PNS Iqbal, which was commissioned on March 29, 1967. Since 1968 all SSG (N) training is being conducted at PNS Iqbal which is the home of SSG (N).
During 1971 Pakistan India war SSG (N) participated and was divided into two groups for X-crafts and Seal operations respectively. Seal group participated in Counter Insurgency operations in East Pakistan.
With the passage of time SSG (N) has transformed into a potent force capable of operating at sea, subsea, air and land dimensions.
SSG (N) is comprised of three sub commands:
- CO PNS IQBAL
- CO PNS SEAL
- CO VBSS
PNS Iqbal is the HQ SSG (N) and provides logistic support to HQ’s SSG (N), Seal and VBSS segments in their bases and field areas.
Seal group comprises of Seal Team, Air Borne and Anti Terrorist Team (ATT). These teams operate under CO Seal Group.
Seal Team is the main stay of Seal Group. Primary objective of this team is clandestine operations in enemy’s waters without detection.
Threat of Sabotage and terrorist attack is increasing every day. Preparedness for rapid response to this kind of threat is the primary responsibility of anti terrorism team.
VBSS boats are modern fast speed boats with integrated sensors and equipments. The boats are used by Seal Group in enemy territory and conduct operation on suspected vessels.
Analysis of Pakistan Navy:
If one looks at the history of the PN it would notice that Pakistan Navy never had things its way. It is the worst neglected branch of the three armed forces. Budget constraint and priority allocation of funds for the army and the air force meant that PN never had enough money to fulfill its requirements. It was against this back drop that the navy had to defend the waters of Pakistan and ensure that sea lanes remained open no matter what the situation be. Despite all these constraints navy is the only four dimension force of the Pakistan. A distinction not achieved by rest of the branches of the armed forces.
It was not till the 90’s that the need to reequip the navy with modern weapon systems was realized. Presently navy is going through a modernization plan and for the first time is purchasing brand new frigates.
In the end one can say that if everything goes according to plan than the force should be a much more potent and combat ready and should have improved qualitative edge than its present day force.
