One of the central attributes of the Pakistan Navy’s (PN) ongoing modernization effort is its push for original projects, such as the Jinnah-class frigate and Sea Sultan long-range maritime patrol aircraft (LRMPA), among others.
This statement was made about the forthcoming induction of the Hangor-class (S26) submarine from China. Under the contract signed with China in 2015, Karachi Shipyards and Engineering Works (KSEW) was to build four of the eight boats. These KSEW boats are under production.
However, while related to the Hangor-class submarine project, the then CNS’ statement was also more far-reaching. It implied that following the Hangor program, the PN will build – if not also design – its submarines in the future.
This ambition aligns with the PN’s wider approach to naval procurement, which is to leverage original designs for future workhorse requirements. The PN is executing this approach for its next wave of frigates and maritime patrol aircraft, so the idea of extending it towards a future submarine program is plausible, if not likely.
The MoU with Fincantieri could signal a move forward for the PN’s next-generation sub-surface programs. For example, Fincantieri has been promoting its S800 design to the PN for the latter’s SWATS requirement. Based on what Quwa was told about the PN’s SWATS program, it seemed the S800 largely aligned with the original requirements, which specified a displacement of about 700 tons, the inclusion of an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, and integration with both electronic intelligence (ELINT) and special operations equipment.
There is a strong likelihood that the PN’s SWATS program is closely tied to a next-generation boat, similar to the approach the PN took with the MILGEM corvette deal. Under the MILGEM program, the PN bought four Babur-class corvettes in addition to signing onto the Jinnah-class frigate program. Similarly, the PN could order the SWATS off-the-shelf, but with a provision for the winning vendor to support the development and production of a full-sized submarine.
The timeline of this original submarine would coincide with the timeframe of replacing the PN’s Agosta 90B boats, likely in the late-2030s. While a distant period, one could expect it to take Pakistan this much time to have a realistic shot at designing and building its own conventional attack submarine.
For the PN, the hope would be that by 2040, not only would the Pakistani industry be adept at designing its own naval solutions — including cutting-edge submarines — but also capable enough to supply many of the core inputs, such as steel.
It is likely that one of the intents behind establishing PMSTP is to encourage that horizontal linkage between the PN’s design work via the Naval Research and Development Institute (NRDI) and the wider industry. The PMSTP would be a physical place for the design party (NRDI), production party (KSEW), and supplier party (domestic and foreign contractors) to engage and collaborate.
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