Pakistan's New Hangor Subs: Shaking Up the Indian Ocean

Let's be honest, when your neighbor starts beefing up their military gear, it's going to raise some eyebrows. That's the situation India finds itself in with Pakistan's recent addition of some spiffy new submarines called the Hangor class, courtesy of China. These aren't your granddad's old subs, and they could cause some major ripples in the Indian Ocean.

What's the Big Deal About These Submarines?​

The Hangor class boasts some fancy tech, like something called Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP). Basically, that means they can stay underwater for way longer than regular submarines. This makes them a sneakier threat to India's warships, which might suddenly find themselves in a submarine's crosshairs.

India isn't new to the whole "watching your rival's military moves" game. Its entire defense plan has long relied on having the stronger navy. Now, these new submarines mean India might need to spend more time and money hunting underwater threats, complicating its usual strategy.

Beyond the Battleships​

The Indian Ocean isn't just a military zone; it's a major highway for shipping goods in and out of India. Pakistan, with a boosted underwater fleet, could theoretically play submarine-tag with those trade routes, and nobody wants their Amazon packages delayed by underwater warfare.

And let's not forget the elephant in the room: China. By supplying Pakistan with those subs, they're sending a not-so-subtle message that they're interested in the power dynamics of the Indian Ocean. This could be seen as a challenge to India's usual top-dog position in the region.

India's Not Backing Down​

India's navy is still way bigger and has a lot more history behind it than Pakistan's. Plus, India is no slouch when it comes to fancy tech either – they have their own cool underwater toys for hunting submarines. They're also constantly adding new ships, including nuclear submarines, to keep their fleet top-notch.

And let's not forget India has powerful friends. Working closely with the US, France, and others on naval stuff could make a big difference.

The Bottom Line​

While these new subs are definitely a headache for India, it's not like they've suddenly tipped the whole power balance in the region. India's got the muscle, the brains, and the allies to handle this challenge. Still, it's a reminder that things are always shifting, and staying on your toes is the name of the game.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

Even AIP equipped Type-214 would have been much better than Scorpene, even South Koreans got this submarine and modified them, we currently don't have a single AIP equipped submarine or at-least a considerable fleet of Nuclear submarines, this is pathetic situation compared to Pakistan that has 15 of them and will get more, we learned nothing from Scorpene either, our carriers are sitting duck.

South koreans got type 209,not type 214, at the same time as us,got the tot, developed their own subs from there. We got the type 209, babus involved in corruption, everything canceled, lost everything.

 

[Kira]

Any surprises in what India is doing with P8I’s ? Repeat of stupidity all over again !!

No more orders for the Chinooks,P-8I and C-17 is equivalent to a big Trinity of error.

 

[BCharlie]

With a vast coastline & without sufficient submarines & MCMVs (Mine Counter Measures Vessels) our coastal & naval assets are highly vulnerable to enemy subs. Paxtanis know our this weakness - that's why in 1965 war our INS Khukri got sunk by PNS Hangor submarine & in 1971 war, PNS Ghazi travelled all the way to Vizag hunting for INS Vikrant. PN stole a march over IN even in AIP submarines - all their 4 Agosta subs which were made before our Scorpenes, have French MESMA AIP. PN also operates 3 MG110 midget 100t submarines capable of carrying 14 people (including 2 SEAL teams of 4 each). We didn't go for the French MESMA AIP because our DRDO boasted that our fuel cell based AIP will be ready in time for installation on the first Scorpene. Today all six Scorpenes under P75 are not only without AIP, but even without HD torpedoes. All this while PN has started getting 8 new AIP SSKs from China and getting it's 4 Agosta AIP subs upgraded by Thurkish STM.

We like the way we think & talk big, but actually do nothing.. What we need are doers not talkers. As time is passing, we are looking at a gaping widening hole of technology advancements which Pakistanis have cashed on. We have convinced ourselves that all the Chinese Eqpt is all junk & absolutely non reliable.. Actually, the enemy may surprise us when it comes down to the crunch.

 

[BCharlie]

Even AIP equipped Type-214 would have been much better than Scorpene, even South Koreans got this submarine and modified them, we currently don't have a single AIP equipped submarine or at-least a considerable fleet of Nuclear submarines, this is pathetic situation compared to Pakistan that has 15 of them and will get more, we learned nothing from Scorpene either, our carriers are sitting duck.

We like to talk too much & do nothing.. Time has come to get rid of them talkers.. need to involve those who are quick decision makers; Not those who like to drag on and on, guaranteeing their pensions.

 

[BCharlie]

Nobody knows how long it is going to take to equip Indian AIP in the three new Scorpenes.

First 5 to 7 yrs talking, then another 5 to 7 yrs designing, then another 5 yrs looking for ToTs from someone who is willing to sell old outdated designs; Viola' in another 7 yrs or so we will have our submarine which would already be shamefully obsolete & done with.

 

[BCharlie]

I don't think it's a matter of concern. It requires an operating cost. Which Pakistan cannot bear

You are wrong.. Pakistan spends all its GDP on defense equipment. With no money left, they then go to USAID, IMF & World Bank Loans, UKEF Loans, Chinese, Saudi, Qatari & UAE Loans to run economy .. feed people & develop whatever industrial base.. With 100% GDP for defense, actually we are nowhere near them in defense spending.

 

[BCharlie]

Let's be honest the most sensible solution to this problem is investing in additional 3 to 9 Kalvari-SSKs with DRDO's AIP system.

Just see, we are talking & talking, and they, Pakistanis are procuring, starting manufacture etc .. Thats the difference. By the time our talking slows down, they have already acquired their weapon systems. Just see they will have these latest 8 new submarines commissioned & we would still be talking. We need to change.

 

[rtnguy]

The solution to this is more nuclear attack submarines. US has long stopped producing diesel submarines and US planned fleet of 66 Virginia class nuclear attack submarines can destroy combined navy of rest of the world. India needs at least 12 and even upto 20 nuclear attack submarines.

 

[Torontodude]

India needs to invest heavily in a SOSUS equivalent ie hydrophone based detection system. This is the radar of the seas. Luckily we have to cover a limited area - basically Arabian Sea, BoB and Andaman Sea (for Malacca). Unlike US SOSUS which has to cover 3 vast oceans. A properly laid out SOSUS array will enable 24/7 monitoring of all naval assets as well as capturing sonar signatures of pak and Chinese subs. Any naval asset entering the SOSUS grid can be captured like a radar blip and a tracked. While the sonar signature can be entered into a database that can be distributed to IN ships for a IFF identification. And shared with Information Fusion Centre-IOR in Gurgaon on a need-to-know basis to enhance domain security.
If the Hangor knows it will be tracked and IN is lying in wait somewhere, will force them to stay in their sheltered pens- 1971 redux.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

No more orders for the Chinooks,P-8I and C-17 is equivalent to a big Trinity of error.

Stupidity will come back to haunt us later !!

 

[SK]

Just see, we are talking & talking, and they, Pakistanis are procuring, starting manufacture etc .. Thats the difference. By the time our talking slows down, they have already acquired their weapon systems. Just see they will have these latest 8 new submarines commissioned & we would still be talking. We need to change.

That's why the best option is to buy additional SSKs that are currently being constructed by Indian shipyards.