ISLAMABAD: In a nearly $5 billion agreement signed between Pakistan and China, former will acquire at least eight modified diesel-electric attack submarines from the Communist country, by 2028. Head of Pakistan's next-generation submarine programme along with senior naval officers, briefed members of the National Assembly's standing committee on defence regarding the deal.
Earlier this year, a senior Pakistan Navy official had announced that Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works had secured a contract to produce four of the eight submarines. China is expected to extend a long term loan to Pakistan at a low interest rate to cover the cost of the project. While it is not yet confirmed what type of submarines will be supplied to the Pakistan Navy by the China Shipbuilding Trading Company, analysts expect the new submarines will be lighter export versions of the People Liberation Army Navy's 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. 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 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 here. The third was built in France.
