In order to confront India’s growing nuclear-capable naval fleet, a former Pakistani official has emphasized the urgent necessity for Pakistan to obtain nuclear-powered submarines. This request is made in view of India’s strategic developments, which include the commissioning of INS Arighaat, its second nuclear-powered submarine, which strengthens India’s capacity for underwater nuclear deterrence. By 2025, India is projected to operate three nuclear submarines, significantly increasing its ability to threaten Pakistan and parts of China from the sea.
With both countries enhancing their military capabilities since their respective nuclear tests in the late 1990s, the long-standing rivalry between India and Pakistan has been more intense. Pakistan may be at a disadvantage if India’s naval forces continue to be modernized, with plans for additional submarines and a wider naval expansion. Concerns about preserving a credible second-strike capacity have been raised in Pakistani defense circles by the increasing number of Indian submarines, especially those that can launch ballistic missiles.
Pakistan will gain various strategic advantages by acquiring nuclear submarines:
Pakistan can maintain its retaliation capabilities even in the event of a conflict by concealing nuclear submarines in the ocean’s depths.
In delicate regions like the Arabian Sea, these ships will improve Pakistan’s capacity to carry out ongoing surveillance and thwart Indian naval operations.
Pakistan’s current ground-launched missile systems, which are more susceptible to preemptive strikes, would be supplemented by a sea-based nuclear deterrent.
China reportedly supports Pakistan’s naval capabilities expansion by helping to build warships and delivering new submarines. In light of growing tensions with India, this collaboration seeks to strengthen Pakistan’s marine capabilities. However, considering Pakistan’s economic difficulties and dependence on foreign financial aid, concerns about the financial feasibility of such military developments still exist.
The former diplomat’s claim reflects a wider understanding in Pakistan that obtaining nuclear-powered submarines may be crucial for national security in order to preserve strategic parity with India, particularly in view of its naval achievements.
