In 2015 the PN initiated a significant program to both modernize and expand its surface and sub-surface fleets. The process started with a contract to acquire eight S26 air-independent propulsion (AIP)-equipped submarines (SSP) from China in 2015. This was followed by the off-the-shelf purchases of four Type 054A/P frigates and two offshore patrol vessels (OPV) from China and the Netherlands in 2017, respectively. In 2018 the PN ordered four custom MILGEM corvettes from Turkiye, shortly followed by a deal to co-produce 38.8 m gunboats with the Louisiana-based shipbuilder Swiftships.
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Electronic Support Measures (ESM)
GIDS is currently marketing the RIBAT ESM and SEA-EYE ESM suites. Based on the product descriptions, it seems that the two systems can be combined onto surface warships. Basically, the SEA-EYE is a mast-based ESM that can complement a wider suite (e.g., the RIBAT). GIDS also revealed that a RIBAT ESM variant for submarines is also being developed.
Training Systems
GIDS is also marketing a number of simulator and platform training systems, such as the Action Speed Tactical Trainer (ASTT), General Sonar Trainer (GST), Bridge Pilotage Simulator (BPS), War Gaming Simulator (WGS), Naval Vessel Ops Room Simulator, and a number of submarine training systems.
The heavy focus on in-house training and simulation systems is interesting in that it equips the Pakistani industry to pair future original platforms (e.g. Jinnah-class frigate) with purpose-built training solutions. In addition, Pakistan also takes in military students from a number of friendly states into its academies, so it has many organic opportunities to showcase its systems to the target end-user.
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