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Pakistan to again deploy submarine in Bay of Bengal
Islamabad: After fifty-five years of the 1971 bloody nose, which wiped out the Pakistani presence in the Bay of Bengal, another Pakistani Hangor is making headlines. Pakistan's first Hangor-class submarine arrived in Karachi last week. The submarine was commissioned in China in April.
1971 War: A Backgrounder
In 1971, the Pakistani submarine PNS Hangor sank the Indian Navy frigate INS Khukri during the Indo-Pak war. It remains one of Pakistan Navy's most notable wartime achievements and marked the first loss of an Indian naval warship in combat since Independence. However, the attack had little impact on the overall course of the war, which ended in a decisive Indian victory. Indian forces dominated on land, in the air, and at sea, leading to Pakistan's defeat and the creation of Bangladesh.
A senior Pakistan Navy officer recently indicated that the new submarine could help Islamabad establish a presence in the Bay of Bengal - a region where Pakistan's naval influence has been virtually absent since the 1971 war and the loss of East Pakistan.
These remarks come at a time when Pakistan and Bangladesh are witnessing a gradual improvement in civilian and military ties. They also reflect the broader strategic competition unfolding across the Indian Ocean region, where several countries, including India, are expanding their maritime capabilities and influence.
Pak's re-entry in the Bay of Bengal
A senior Pakistan Navy officer has revealed this ambitious plan. The announcement comes at a time when ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan are strengthening and naval competition is intensifying among Indian Ocean nations, including India. Since its defeat by the Indian Army in 1971, the Pakistan Navy's presence has been largely confined to the northern Arabian Sea.
In contrast, the Bay of Bengal has traditionally been a region where India holds a significant geographical and strategic advantage. With India's Eastern Naval Command based in Visakhapatnam and the proximity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Bay of Bengal has become crucial for the trade of goods and energy between India and Bangladesh. This maritime region connects countries such as India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.
Pak getting 8 submarines from China
Earlier this month, a senior Pakistan Navy officer made a significant statement in Sri Lanka. Speaking to the media, Pakistan Navy Commodore Umar Farooq stated that the induction of 'Hangor-class submarines' would enable Pakistan to maintain a presence in the Bay of Bengal.
