![India-Pakistan naval rivalry grows with fleet expansions and rising concerns over military capabilities and China's influence. [Image via Daily Times]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Navy-500-1280x720-1.webp)
The prolonged military rivalry between India and Pakistan, which has spanned 77 years, continues to drive both nations to outdo each other in military strength, particularly naval capabilities. This ongoing tension has brought the two countries to the brink of a fourth regular war on multiple occasions, with both sides constantly monitoring each other’s military developments.
Earlier this month, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi voiced concerns over the growing power of the Pakistani Navy, highlighting its increasing collaboration with China. At a ceremony, Admiral Tripathi noted that India is keenly aware of the “astonishing progress” of the Pakistan Navy, which is aiming to expand its fleet to 50 ships in the coming years. He stated, “We are fully aware of their (Pakistan’s) growing capabilities, which is why we are changing our strategy and operational plan to eliminate any potential negative impact on our interests. We are fully prepared to face any challenge.”
Admiral Tripathi also pointed out China’s significant role in expanding the Pakistan Navy, with China currently assisting Pakistan in the construction of warships and submarines. This comes at a time when China’s naval power has surged, and its fleet is said to surpass that of the United States in size. Additionally, China has deployed several research and reconnaissance ships in the Indian Ocean, which has intensified New Delhi’s existing concerns.
The rivalry between the India and Pakistan has manifested in an arms race focused on naval expansion. Both India and Pakistan have been building up their fleets, with naval capabilities now becoming a critical component of their defence strategies due to the evolving security landscape. Experts note that in recent years, naval power has gained prominence, given its strategic importance in both regional and global geopolitics.
Also See: The Indian Ocean Power Play
India’s Naval Strength and Strategic Focus
India currently boasts a powerful navy, comprising approximately 150 ships, including two aircraft carriers and 16 conventional submarines, alongside two nuclear-powered submarines. In addition, the Indian Navy operates a significant fleet of 275 aircraft, helicopters, and drones, with another 50 ships and submarines under construction.
The Indian Navy’s development dates back several decades, with a focus on expanding its “blue water navy” capabilities, allowing it to patrol waters far beyond its territorial boundaries. India’s aircraft carrier fleet includes the Russian-built INS Vikramaditya and its domestically built INS Viraat. Additionally, India has recently launched two nuclear submarines with Russian assistance and is working on expanding its nuclear-powered fleet in the coming years.
Despite these advancements, defense analyst Rahul Bedi points out that India’s conventional submarines are aging, with many of them unfit for combat. However, India is shifting focus towards acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, further enhancing its maritime capabilities.
Pakistan’s Growing Naval Power
The Pakistan Navy, while smaller in size compared to India, has been expanding rapidly in recent years. Pakistan currently operates 45 ships, including several warships, oil tankers, and five submarines. The country is also constructing new warships and submarines, with several ships expected to join the fleet soon. Notably, Pakistan has strengthened its naval ties with China, which has assisted in building four Type 054A warships and providing the technology for eight Hangur-class submarines, which are expected to be inducted by 2028.
Pakistan’s navy is largely focused on a defensive strategy, primarily safeguarding its maritime borders and securing trade routes, as over 90% of its trade is conducted via sea. Defence experts argue that Pakistan’s smaller but more focused naval presence allows it to concentrate its efforts on the Arabian Sea, which it considers its primary area of interest.
In recent years, Pakistan has also increased its technological capabilities, acquiring ships and submarines with the help of China, as well as enhancing its fleet’s missile and radar capabilities. Pakistan has also been increasing its participation in joint naval exercises, such as the biennial “Sea Spark” exercises, aimed at honing its operational readiness in potential conflict scenarios.
Strategic Concerns and Regional Dynamics
The tension between India and Pakistan is exacerbated by the growing involvement of China in the region. China’s increasing naval presence in the Indian Ocean, along with its strategic interest in Gwadar and other parts of Pakistan, has raised alarms in India. Indian analysts suggest that China’s collaboration with Pakistan is primarily motivated by a desire to secure its maritime interests in the Indian Ocean region, which is crucial for its economic and strategic goals.
Pakistani experts, on the other hand, argue that Pakistan’s naval expansion is a necessary response to India’s increasing naval capabilities and the changing dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Vice Admiral (retd) Ahmed Tasneem, a former commander of the Pakistan Navy, believes that the rapid development of Pakistan’s naval forces is a direct result of better leadership and a more strategic focus on maritime defense. He also credits the successful transfer of technology from China as a key factor in enhancing the Pakistan Navy’s strength.
Implications for Regional Stability
The ongoing naval race between India and Pakistan highlights the shifting focus of both countries on securing their maritime borders and strategic interests, which has resulted in the rivalry. While India’s navy aims to establish dominance in the Indian Ocean and extend its reach beyond regional waters, Pakistan is focused on ensuring that its maritime trade routes and coastal areas remain protected from potential threats.
The role of China in strengthening Pakistan’s naval capabilities is another complicating factor, as it adds a layer of competition and influence in the region. The United States’ “Indo-Pacific Strategy,” which includes strengthening ties with India, further polarizes the situation, making the region a potential flashpoint for future conflicts.
Defense analysts agree that while both countries have vastly different naval strategies and objectives, the rivalry continues to intensify, with each nation striving to outpace the other in terms of technology, naval assets, and strategic influence in the Indian Ocean region. With the growing importance of maritime power in global geopolitics, the Indian-Pakistani naval competition remains a significant element of their broader military rivalry, one that will shape the security dynamics of South Asia in the years to come.
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SAT Commentaries, a collection of insightful social media threads on current events and social issues, featuring diverse perspectives from various authors.
![From India’s naval rise to the US-China rivalry and Pakistan’s upcoming AMAN, the Indian Ocean is becoming a new battleground for global influence. [Image via Alamy]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20230415_ASP001-150x150.webp)
![Pakistan Navy's CNS discusses strategic partnerships, global maritime security, and future naval plans in interview with Defence Web. [Image via Business Recorder]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/pak-navy4-1024-150x150.webp)
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