For any navy to thrive, it must not only have modern ships and weaponry but also a robust infrastructure to operate without any hindrance, which is most important during a conflict. This is because, to win a conflict, the element of surprise is critical, which chiefly comes from speedy movement and the ability to inflict maximum damage on the enemy using its weapon systems. But in the absence of these vital factors, defeat is assured. This is the case with the Pakistan Navy.
The Pakistan Navy faces significant geographic limitations due to its coastal boundaries in the Arabian Sea, particularly in comparison to India’s larger coastline and its blue-water capabilities. This restricts its operational reach and its ability to project power beyond its immediate maritime zone.
Pakistan’s coastline is shorter than India’s, limiting its potential for naval operations and strategic depth. Pakistan’s coastline is quite limited compared to India’s. Pakistan’s coastline extends approximately 1,046 km along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. This coastline is divided between the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, with Sindh having roughly 350 km and Balochistan having approximately 700 km of coastline. Most of these coasts are riddled with numerous hurdles.
The primary weakness that the Pakistan Navy will struggle to overcome is its complex geopolitical situation. The country is essentially landlocked, except for its southern region. It has very limited natural ports and thus is devoid of flexibility in launching its naval fleet. Thus, its operation can easily be choked. This has been exhibited on several occasions, from the 1971 Indo-Pak war and the 1999 Kargil conflict to Operation Sindoor.
Makran and Las Bela coast in Balochistan are located in rugged terrain, rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. Karachi coast in Sindh includes the city of Karachi, a major port and coastal area, but a high population density area. Thatta in Sindh is located further east, with mangrove forests and the Indus Delta. The Indus Delta, again in Sindh, has a significant area with mangrove forests, lagoons, and creeks.
Geographical constraints make Pakistan even more vulnerable to possible blockades. It is essential to keep the waterways open until the transformation of the Navy into the blue-water fleet is completed for this reason.
Pakistan has four naval bases consisting of ships. Karachi is the traditional home of the Pakistan Navy, hosting the Karachi Naval Dockyard and the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works. PNS Siddique is in Turbat, near the Gwadar port and the Iranian border. Pasni base is in the south-west region, with PNS Makran being the primary naval air station. Jinnah Naval Base is also located in the south-west.
In comparison, the Indian Navy’s main naval bases are Mumbai, Goa, Karwar, Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Port Blair, and INS Kadamba (Karwar). Of these nine bases, five are on the west coast, giving India a larger leeway to strike Pakistan at will, if the need arose.
India has a coastline of 7,516.6 Km, encompassing both the mainland and island territories. This coastline is shared by nine states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal), and four union territories (Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep Islands, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
The mainland coastline stretches for 5422.6 km, while the island territories contribute 2094 km to the overall length. The Indian coastline is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south and has vast open areas, free of any geographical hurdles. It’s a significant feature of India’s geography and plays a vital role in its economy, security, and environment.
In the case of India, due to its extensive coastline, its ports are widely dispersed across different sectors, offering a wide choice for their use depending on tactical requirements. Pakistan has no choice. All these ports of Pakistan can be blocked in one stroke, which has been proven on numerous occasions.
Pakistan does not have a strong blue water policy. The Pakistan Navy’s primary focus has historically been on coastal defence and regional deterrence, rather than blue-water operations. While the Indian Navy is a well-recognised blue-water power with global ambitions, Pakistan’s maritime capabilities remain restricted to regional deterrence, anti-piracy patrols, and coastal defence.
The surface and submarine fleets are ageing and rely on foreign-built platforms, resulting in limitations in operational reach and effectiveness.
The inability to build ships domestically hinders modernisation efforts and increases reliance on foreign suppliers, further impacting integration and maintenance. The Pakistan Navy faces challenges in integrating various systems and platforms, as well as maintaining them effectively, which further limits operational readiness.