Pakistan Navy Opts for Tactical Nuclear Weapons on Conventional Subs to Counter India's Nuclear-Equipped Fleet: Pak Navy Commodore (R)

In a recent interview with Suno Digital, former Commodore Sajid Mehmood Shehzad HI(M) of the Pakistani Navy outlined the nation's strategic approach to submarine warfare and nuclear deterrence.

Shehzad stated that Pakistan has no intention of developing nuclear-powered submarines, believing that conventional submarines equipped with tactical nuclear weapons provide an equally effective deterrent.

This strategy centers around the Babur cruise missile, a submarine-launched weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. By deploying these missiles on its existing fleet of conventionally powered submarines, Pakistan aims to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent without the significant financial and technological burden associated with developing and maintaining nuclear-powered submarines.

Shehzad also took the opportunity to criticize India's pursuit of a nuclear submarine fleet, deeming it an unnecessary expenditure in light of the country's widespread poverty.

He further argued that India's lack of global naval bases limits the operational range of its submarine fleet, rendering the investment strategically questionable.

This statement offers insight into Pakistan's naval doctrine, which prioritizes cost-effective solutions to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent against its regional rival.

While Pakistan currently operates conventionally powered attack submarines, including the French Agosta and the newer Chinese Hangor-class, it has consistently emphasized the development of its nuclear-capable missile systems as a cornerstone of its defense strategy.

 

[Jyoti Shankar Roy Choudhury]

Yes, our main adversary in the region is China. I donno why people are fixated on Pakistan so much.

In a war scenario, Pakistan IS China. It has Chinese ships, Chinese weaponry, Chinese subs and they will be a part of Chinese strategy.

 

[desigandu]

Pakistan is an irritant that needs to be constantly managed…The big threat they pose is a Chinese naval base at Gwadar and Chinas CPEC access to the Arabian sea, when combined with Chinas base in Djibouti can threaten Indian dominance and give China an option in case of Malacca problems…Thus medium to long term the best solution is to balkanize Pakistan and destabilize it heavily to attack and destroy Chinese citizens and infrastructure inside Pakistan…

Our goal must be to make Baluchistan an independent country and align with its and Afghanistan interests, while creating massive unrest’s inside GB…

Indias main enemy is China and our focus must be a navy that can dominate and control IOR, so if/when China attacks/blockades Taiwan, we can block SLOCs for Chinese oil imports and material exports…That is why we need 4 CBGs, 6-8 SSNs and about 24 modern SSKs - which can only happen starting 2035-2040, given our budgets and pace of construction…

China will make a move on Taiwan during Xis next term which starts in 2027, and thus we must be ready…

As for Pakistans J31s, which will start coming in 2030, we don’t have good solutions unless we can before 2030 get 36-72 more F4 Rafales and at least 35-48 F35s…Yes the Americans will have conditions but if Trump wins on Nov 5 we could negotiate for them, as our own AMCA won’t arrive before 2035…

 

[Anant Juwatkar]

India is not going to attack until pak disturb people near boarder. India alway obey laws, as per law India will not attack with neucler weapons, till such kind of massive disaster from pak. Hence India will utilize necular utility whenever any nuclear warship like from us, france like west culture country interfer in india ocean Hence it is essential for Shanti in Indian Ocean. India even don't need more than 4 to 5 palnes incombinatin with intelligent missiles can distroy pakistan with in day if decided.
But humanity law towards independance of all leavinig beaing (in Sanskrit Dharm) don't permits it hence pakistan don't have to worry at all any technical upgradation of India.

 

[IridiumInd]

While overall I disagree with the navy officer's views on nuclear sub operation it is worth introspecting the drawbacks of not having any forward operation bases abroad. Our future as a capable power should reflect in our deployment capabilities abroad. With China enforcing it's sting of pearls l, we'll have to improve our very own deployment radius around China and other potential challengers to our sovereignty

 

[buggy 007]

I think India needs 3 S5 class submarines which can roam around Chinese waterS. current Arihant class is good only for IOR

 

[Puneet]

It's a classic case of sour grapes. They can't afford it so they don't like it. Even Azerbaijan initially mocked Indian weapons supplied to Armenia and later protested when realizing the potency of the weapons.

 

[BCharlie]

China has many more nuclear powered SSN than us.. many more.. but yes by having 4 in the indian ocean by next 3-4 years will be a big deterrent

As of end of 2022 China has total of 60 subs, out of which six are nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, another six are nuclear-powered attack submarines and have 48 diesel-powered attack submarines.

 

[Shubham]

I personally believe, India should make smaller nuclear submarine, like French Rubis class. ( below 3000 t), but modified. Brahmos and heavy weight torpedoes are only armaments.

Anything below atleast 6-7k tonnes is not a nuclear submarine..France struggles to operate their SSNs whereas British, Russians and Americans deploy them for long time..India's decision to make 10k tonne SSN is commendable..those subs should carry 32 VLS cells for Brahmos and Nirbhay..even West would raise their eyebrows then