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KARACHI, Jan 15: Despite Pakistan’s policy in the post-Sept 11 period, acquisition of technology and weapons system for the defence forces still remain affected by the sanctions and Islamabad will have to be on its own to defend itself.
This was stated by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Shahid Karimullah, at a briefing to newsmen on board the supply ship, PNS Nasr, on Wednesday in which Pakistan Navy Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Afzal Tahir and other senior officers also participated.
“As far as the military is concerned, the squeeze on us continues, despite perception to the contrary with regard to sanctions,” said the CONS, spelling out various alternatives Pakistan Navy was examining in terms of weapons acquisition and strategy to counter Indian “forward posturing”.
He said the sanctions had compelled Pakistan to look for its needs eastward.
In the backdrop of the recent standoff with India, he said Pakistan Navy had also switched over to offensive posturing and its role was not confined merely to securing the economic lifeline of the country.
He believed that “such prolonged standoffs cannot be ruled out” in the context of India, though he dispelled the perception that during recent tense period the Indian Navy had entered into Pakistan territory.
“They had moved units from their eastern command also but they never came close or entered into our territory,” said the naval chief, adding that Pakistan avoided escalation.
“Though Pakistan is part of the international coalition, in the given circumstances Pakistan will have to fight its own war and depend on its own resources for defending itself,” he hinted.
“During the standoff no one talked about us. Only support from Saudi Arabia and the UAE was shown in terms of oil,” he said.
With regard to weapons acquisition programme, he said the government had given approval for the procurement of four frigates F 22P from China, one or two would be built in China and the rest in Pakistan.
Replying to a question about the deficiency in surveillance aircraft, the naval chief said at the moment Pakistan was examining the option of Spanish Cassa 295 aircraft as it met the requirement of the navy. He said the Chinese were also in the process of developing their own version. Pakistan, he said, would evaluate all options.
Replying to another question, he said in the field of metallurgy China was as good as the West in some areas. Pakistan, he added, was also exploring the Ukraine option and, if possible, the western sources.
He told a questioner that by the end of 2003 Jinnah Naval Base at Ormara would be further upgraded and would enhance the PN capabilities. In fact, he said, during the standoff with India, Ormara was extensively used.
Karimullah refused to reply to questions whether Pakistan Navy was also planning to acquire nuclear capability.
He confirmed that next month Pakistan-United States and Pakistan-Saudi Arabian exercises would be held but added that it was not yet clear what would be the format of the joint exercise with the US. The exercise with Saudi Navy was a regular feature which was earlier suspended owing to standoff with India.
IFTEKHAR RAO: The Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (operations), Iftekhar Rao, dealing with the situation during the standoff with India, said New Delhi tried to exploit the worldwide anti-terrorist sentiment after the tragic Sept 11 incidents. Using the terrorist attack on Indian parliament on Dec 13, 2001, as a pretext, it staged heightened tension along Pakistan’s borders by massing troops, A/C and maritime forces. In the face of Indian Navy’s aggressive moves and deployment, Pakistan Navy acted swiftly, assumed and maintained a high degree of readiness, in line with the overall defensive posture adopted by Pakistan Army and Air Force.
During the standoff, he said, India tried to use its navy as a tool to manifest its coercive diplomacy. Some 10 Indian Navy ships from western command were forward deployed in Okha area. Some of the IN’s Maritime Commandos (MARCOs), with Seeking Helicopters to carry them, remained forward deployed at Indian Sikki post, near the Sir Creeks area. Their A/C carrier remained non-operational for some time, then they managed to put it to sea, probably to avoid criticism at home. All along, it remained far away and well clear of our EEZ and area of interest barring the time, when they took it to Gulf for power projection visit. Few of their submarines also remained lurking in holding areas for subsequent deployment, if required, he said.
The deployment of significant number of units around Kandla and their employment for defensive tasks points to the vulnerability of the Kandla Port viz-a-viz the reach and offensive capability of PN platforms.
He said the PN had already deployed selective offensive units, overtly and covertly, at suitable locations from where we could generate the required response, if and when required.
Thus, a credible level of naval deterrence was ensured throughout. Consequently, Pakistan shipping transiting anywhere in the Indian Ocean, throughout the crises, remained safe and unhindered.
On another occasion, in a stage-managed incident, he said, the IN units attempted to deploy closer to Pakistan coast in the garb of providing assistance to a disabled Indian fishing boat, which was adrift in position about 33 nautical miles south of Gwadar. “There exists a strong possibility that this boat was on intelligence gathering mission near our waters,” he said. Initially, the PN tasked suitable MSA unit to investigate this boat. Meanwhile, a PN submarine picked up few IN warships and helicopters southeast of Ormara. These Indian ships moved further near Gwadar, in a position close to the location of the fishing boat.
An appropriate response was generated by deployment of Harpoon Missile-fitted Pakistan naval ships and aircraft in the area, in order to respond, if required. This deterred the IN ships to get out of our area quickly, said Rear Admiral Rao.
However, by this time, the coalition ships present in this area, realising the possible dangerous situation, tasked a coalition ship to tow the boat to the nearest Indian port.
In essence, IN attempted to resort to coercive strategy aiming to tire PN out, in the pre-hostility phase and create imbalance in “our system of forces”.
The IN activities were generally in sync with Indian political objective, which was to coerce Pakistan.
On the material side, despite having been severely hit by the military sanctions and the economic crunch, PN was able to field more than 80 per cent of its platforms for operations, he said. The indigenous innovations, improvisations and development of various elements as force multipliers were the hallmarks of “our preparedness”, he added.
Throughout the day, Pakistan Navy’s surface ships, submarines and aircraft, including PAF Mirages, conducted various exercises which were witnessed by the mediamen from across the country and the National Defence College teams.
