Navy Day, celebrated annually on December 4 since 1972, commemorates the Indian Navy’s historic triumphs in the 1971 war with Pakistan. The audacious missile boat strike on Karachi on this day had inflicted heavy losses on the Pakistan Navy and remains a landmark in India’s maritime history.
This Navy Day, as India celebrates its naval legacy, concerns are mounting over Pakistan’s accelerated naval modernisation, significantly supported by China. Pakistan’s ambition to build a 50-ship-strong navy, alongside advanced underwater and surface-combat capabilities, may well be reshaping maritime balance in the region.
Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, on December 2, put the threat in perspective, saying: “We are fully cognisant of the surprising growth of the Pakistan navy, which aims to become a 50-ship navy. They have chosen weapons over the welfare of their people. With comprehensive Chinese support, Pakistan is significantly enhancing its naval power, including eight new submarines with notable combat potential.”
In 2015, Pakistan signed a $5 billion contract with China to acquire eight Hangor-class submarines, an export variant of the Type 039A/041 Yuan-class AIP (Air-independent propulsion) submarines. Four submarines are being constructed in China, with the rest to be assembled at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW). The first submarine was launched this April, underscoring Beijing’s growing role in bolstering Pakistan’s maritime power.
Pakistan is also acquiring two more Type 054 A/P frigates from China. These frigates, equipped with advanced systems like the HHQ-16 surface-to-air missiles and P-282/CM-401 supersonic anti-ship missiles, will significantly enhance its surface-combat capabilities.
Observers point to the conversion of two Embraer Lineage 1000 jets into maritime patrol aircraft, outfitted with sophisticated sensors and weapons, further strengthening Pakistan’s maritime surveillance and strike reach.
Experts believe China’s direct involvement in Pakistan’s naval growth is viewed as part of a broader strategy to pressure India in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Analysts argue that the Hangor-class submarines and advanced frigates will boost Pakistan’s ability to operate in contested waters, potentially challenging Indian naval dominance.
India’s maritime planners are particularly concerned about the stealth capabilities of the Hangor-class submarines, which could tilt the underwater warfare balance in Pakistan’s favour. This growing naval cooperation reflects the deepening strategic partnership between China and Pakistan, cemented since Chinese president Xi Jinping’s visit to Islamabad in 2015. The partnership is driven by mutual concerns over India and shared strategic interests in the region.
In response, the Indian Navy is intensifying efforts to maintain its edge in IOR. As Admiral Tripathi stated: “We are tweaking our concepts and operational doctrines to tackle all emerging threats from our neighbours.”
India is focusing on its indigenous shipbuilding programme, fast-tracking projects like the P-75I submarines with advanced AIP technology, and commissioning new surface combatants such as the Vishakhapatnam-class destroyers and Nilgiri-class frigates. The Navy is also modernising its existing fleet, integrating advanced sensors and weaponry to enhance combat readiness. For example, 62 ships and one submarine are currently under construction within the country to boost naval prowess.
Admiral Tripathi said a large number of platforms are awaiting induction in the next one year and at least one ship will be inducted into the Navy. “We have redoubled efforts to include niche technologies into the force,” he added.
The developments come amid heightened global interest in the Indo-Pacific Region. The United States, Japan and Australia—India’s key partners in the Quad—are increasingly coordinating with New Delhi to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Joint naval exercises, such as the Malabar exercise, are helping India strengthen its maritime partnerships and build interoperable capabilities to counter growing Chinese influence. India is also leveraging its ties with France and the US to acquire advanced technologies, such as the MH-60R multi-role helicopters and Rafale-M fighters for its aircraft carriers.
While the Indian Navy remains the dominant maritime force in South Asia, Pakistan’s rapid naval build-up, supported by China, is a clear signal of its aspirations to challenge India’s supremacy. As India celebrates Navy Day, the focus is not just on past victories but also on preparing for the evolving challenges in the dynamic maritime domain.
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