The Pakistan Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Unit has intercepted an Indian submarine attempting to enter Pakistani waters — the fourth such incident in five years, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
On March 1, the Pakistan Navy tracked and halted a Kalvari class Indian submarine during ongoing Pakistan Navy wargames, SEASPARK-22, ISPR reported.
Director General (DG) ISPR Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar reported that the Indian submarine, a diesel-electric attack submarine, had been attempting to gather information and reconnaissance and was spotted by maritime surveillance when the submarine rose to snorkelling depth to recharge its batteries.
“However, yet again through continuous vigilance and professionalism, Pakistan Navy has foiled Indian Submarine’s attempt of entering into Pakistani waters,” he said.
The DG ISPR added, “Strict monitoring watch and stringent vigilance procedures were enforced. Resultantly, the Pakistan Navy Anti-submarine warfare unit took the lead and prematurely intercepted and tracked the latest Indian submarine Kalvari.”
In October 2019, the Pakistan Navy foiled another attempt to enter Pakistani territorial waters by an Indian submarine. The Navy had been identified by a PN Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Previously, in November 2016, another Indian submarine was detected south of Pakistan’s coast.
The Indian Navy’s fleet of submarines is primarily composed of diesel-electric, Kilo-class submarines, also known as the Sindhughosh class, the Scorpene class or the Kalvari class.
According to Naval News, the Pakistan Navy operates three Agosta 90B air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines and two Agosta 70 diesel-electric submarines, and is commissioning eight HANGOR-class submarines. The first HANGOR-class submarine to be built indigenously in Pakistan was inaugurated in Karachi in December 2021.
