Pakistan Navy's Chinese Submarines.

Pakistan Navy has recently announced a deal for eight variants of the Type 039 Yuan Class submarines from China, which shall be an addition to the Pakistan Navy Fleet. With some older submarines retiring, this seems a wise acquisition, but is there a slight oversight by the Navy in this deal?

With 4 submarines reported to be arriving in 2022-2023, and 4 more to be constructed in Karachi and handed over by 2028, the deal represents a tactical failure. With the world and technology moving apace, the submarines are in danger of being well out of date by the time all eight are operational. While they do represent an improvement for the Pakistan Navy, they are by no means the only subs needed. In a similar time frame, India is expected to add 15-20 Submarines, which means that the Naval Battle will not be any easier.


The Type 039A is China's first AIP powered submarine, and has the advantage of being one of the quietest submarines of its class, meaning it is significantly harder to detect. One of the greatest advantages for Pakistan is that construction at KSEW (Karachi Shipping and Engineering Works) means that great technical expertise will also be obtained, which will help Pakistan in furthering their own indigenous submarine ambitions.

The time frame though, could be better, and it is that alone which means that the deal turns from a good one, to one that might potentially be good.


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Iran successfully fires 3 new missiles

Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces Kiumars Heidari says Iran has successfully test-fired three new missiles.

“The three types of missiles, manufactured by [Iran’s] defense industry and Army, were successfully test-fired during the recent drill of the forces,” said Heidari in a Saturday interview.

The Iranian commander pointed out that the three new missiles are surface-to-surface. 

Heidari went on to say that the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces also plan to showcase their new armored personnel carriers on April 18 on the occasion of Iran’s Army Day. 

He pointed to the enemies’ threats against Iran and noted that Iran has its defense option on the table and the country will give a crushing response to any adventurism by the enemy. 

The missile and rocket-launching units of the Ground Forces of the Iranian Army plan to stage a one-day missile drill in central Iran on Thursday, 

The maneuver, in which new indigenous missile systems are to be launched, is aimed at maintaining the preparedness and enhancing the defensive capabilities of the forces’ rocket-launching and missile units. 

Over the past few years, Iran has held several military drills to enhance the defense capabilities of its armed forces and to test modern military tactics and equipment. 

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly assured other nations, especially its neighbors, that its military might poses no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence. 


Press TV