Pakistan Navy Day: Islamabad's Naval Fleet Still Dependent on Beijing for Survival

As Pakistan celebrates its Navy Day on September 8—re is an undeniable reality that clouds commemorations: country's heavy dependence on foreign suppliers—particularly China for its naval assets. Pakistan , despite its status as a nuclear power, continues to rely on Beijing, to modernise and maintain its naval capabilities.

Meanwhile, resident powers like India have significantly developed indigenous naval technologies. This stark contrast between Pakistan ’s reliance on external aid and India’s self-reliance highlights a critical vulnerability in Pakistan ’s defence strategy. country's Navy Day offers a timely moment to reflect on state of Pakistan’s naval forces and its broer warship shipbuilding industry.

China- Pakistan Military Cooperation: A Case Study

Pakistan ’s naval procurement strategy has been shaped by its close military cooperation with China in recent years. 2021 acquisition of four 054A/P frigates from China is emblematic of this relationship. se frigates, equipped with modestly vanced rar systems and vanced weaponry, provide a considerable operational boost for Pakistan ’s Navy. However, absence of substantial technology transfer from China means that Pakistan's own naval shipyards remain underdeveloped.

Pakistan ’s dependence on China for naval modernisation goes beyond merely acquiring vessels. This dependence extends into broer realm of military cooperation, tying Pakistan ’s naval strategy closely to Beijing’s geopolitical ambitions. While China benefits from expanding its influence in Indian Ocean region, Pakistan’s reliance on Chinese platforms limits its ability to independently project naval power, raising concerns about long-term consequences of this partnership.

Risks of Dependence on Foreign Aid

Relying on foreign military aid, especially from China, poses significant risks for Pakistan . Should political relations between two countries ever sour, Pakistan ’s naval operations could be severely hindered. lack of indigenous maintenance capabilities for se vanced vessels could leave Pakistan Navy vulnerable during a conflict or diplomatic crisis. Furrmore, this reliance on China risks compromising Pakistan’s strategic autonomy, forcing Islamab to align its regional strategy more closely with Beijing’s interests in Indian Ocean.

With China seeking to expand its footprint in Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, Pakistan ’s dependence on Chinese naval platforms potentially turns it into a strategic pawn in larger power dynamics of region. At a time when India is emerging as a major player in Indo-Pacific and reinforcing its own naval power, Pakistan ’s lack of indigenous capability becomes an increasingly glaring disvantage.

Naval experts are still divided on issue of Pakistan ’s foreign military dependence. y argue that Pakistan ’s reliance on Chinese military platforms, while temporarily vantageous, ultimately compromises its strategic autonomy. During a potential crisis, this dependency could severely restrict Pakistan's operational freedom. On or hand, some analysts defend procurement strategy, citing financial constraints.

Missed Opportunities in Naval Development

Pakistan has h several opportunities to build a stronger naval industry, but se have largely been squandered. Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW), country's premier shipbuilding facility, has long struggled with underinvestment, outdated infrastructure, and limited technical expertise. While KSEW has successfully produced smaller vessels, such as patrol boats, it lacks capacity to build larger warships and submarines.

This inability to produce vanced naval platforms has forced Pakistan to rely on foreign suppliers, primarily China, for its fleet’s modernisation. While or nations have used foreign defence deals to acquire technology and build domestic production capacity, Pakistan has missed similar opportunities. For instance, despite receiving vanced frigates from China, little has been done to use se deals for meaningful technology transfer that could benefit Pakistan’s local shipbuilding industry.

A Crying need for Reforms

Undoubtedly, Pakistan ’s naval shipbuilding industry is at a crossros. Pakistan must make substantial investments in research and development (R&D), technology transfer agreements, and domestic production capabilities to secure its maritime interests and regain strategic autonomy. This shift would reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and enable Pakistan to project any influence in Indian Ocean let alone beyond.

Policy reforms encouraging public-private partnerships in defence production could open doors for innovation and international collaboration. ditionally, diversifying military partnerships to include nations offering meaningful technology transfer opportunities could potentially strengn Pakistan ’s capacity to develop its own vanced naval platforms. Experts argue that with sustained investment and political will, Pakistan could develop its own frigates and submarines within a dece. However both are seen as running out as a result of constant internal issues plaguing country.

India’s Naval Prowess: A Stark Contrast

India, in contrast, has proven that self-reliance in defence production is not only possible but crucial for long-term security. Through initiatives such as "Make in India," country has built a robust defence manufacturing base that includes production of aircraft carriers, submarines, and vanced destroyers. Kolkata-class destroyers and Vikrant-class aircraft carriers exemplify India’s commitment to reducing foreign dependence.

This focus on indigenous production has provided India with strategic autonomy and bolstered its position as a regional naval power in Indo-Pacific. stark difference between India’s self-reliant approach and Pakistan ’s reliance on foreign suppliers furr underscores urgency for Islamab to rethink its naval procurement policies.

A Need for Strategic Realignment

As Pakistan marks anor Navy Day, celebration should come with a clear-eyed assessment of future. country stands at a critical juncture: continue its reliance on foreign suppliers, or take first steps to build a self-sufficient navy capable of safeguarding its maritime interests. For Pakistan to secure its future and regain its strategic autonomy, investment in indigenous defence production and long-term planning is essential.

choice Pakistan makes today will shape its defence capabilities for deces to come. Will Pakistan embrace challenge of building a truly self-reliant navy, or will it continue to depend on foreign military aid, risking its strategic autonomy at cost of a few vessels?

Manan Bhatt is a Veteran of Indian Navy. A Gruate of Saurashtra University, having served onboard Frigates & Corvettes with 15 years’ service under his belt that includes service during Operation Talwar (Kargil War) and Operation Parakram also assignments at Integrated Hequarters of Defence and DRDO. He is continuously striving for rehabilitation and resettlement of widows, children and families of fallen soldiers, disabled ex-servicemen and ex-servicemen. He lives in Rajkot, Gujarat .