In Its Biggest Arms Deal, China to Sell Pakistan Eight Submarines

The submarine deal with Pakistan is said to be the biggest arms export deal for China.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (L) shakes hands with China’s President Xi Jinping. (Photo: Reuters)

Pakistan will acquire at least eight modified diesel-electric attack submarines from China by 2028 in a nearly $5 billion agreement, said to be its biggest arms export deal.

The head of Pakistan’s next-generation submarine programme and senior naval officials briefed the members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence on 26 August regarding the deal worth approximately $4 to 5 billion, according to state-run media.

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A Chinese nuclear submarine at an international fleet review. (Photo: Reuters)

The statement made by naval officials to the committee members showed that the programme of next generation submarines was moving ahead, Radio Pakistan reported.

In April, a senior Pakistan Navy official had announced that Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) had secured a contract to produce four of the eight submarines, which will be fitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems.

Often described as Pakistan’s “all weather friend”, China is expected to extend a long term loan to Pakistan at a low interest rate to cover the cost of the project, the report said.

The Deal

It has not officially been confirmed what type of submarines will be supplied to the Pakistan Navy by the China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC) and there has been considerable speculation on the subject in the past.

Analysts speculate that the new submarines will be lighter export versions of the People Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) Type 039 and Type 041 Yuan-class conventional attack submarines.

The first four submarines are expected to be delivered by the end of 2023 while the remaining four will be assembled in Karachi by 2028.

A Chinese nuclear submarine at an international fleet review. (Photo: Reuters)

Pakistan’s Arsenal

These are expected to form the sea-based arm of Pakistan’s burgeoning nuclear second-strike triad.

China is Pakistan’s biggest supplier of military hardware which included battle tanks, naval ships as well as fighter jets. The two jointly manufacture J-17 Thunder warplane.

Pakistan’s current submarine fleet comprises five Agostas — two Agosta70 and three Agosta90B — and three MG110 miniature submarines (SSI).

One of Agosta90B – Hamza (Khalid Class) – was indigenously constructed and commissioned in 2008 and another was partially completed there. The third was built in France.

Source: PTI