The Pakistani Navy's aggressive submarine, PNS Ghazi, mysteriously sank off the coast of Visakhapatnam during the 1971 war. All 93 Pakistani sailors onboard perished. The remains were discovered last year in the Bay of Bengal, showcasing the bravery of our navy.
Navy officials, speaking anonymously, said they saw Ghazi up close but refrained from touching it, out of respect for naval traditions and the deceased. Ghazi was deployed near Visakhapatnam during the 1971 war for espionage but sank due to unknown reasons.
Some suggest INS Rajput sank it, while Pakistan believes an explosion occurred inside Ghazi due to a collision with Indian naval mines laid to protect Visakhapatnam Port.
Source: aajtak
During the 1971 war, Pakistan secretly deployed PNS Ghazi to sink Indian aircraft carriers. On November 14, 1971, Indian Navy's INS Rajput destroyed it. This story unfolds as Ghazi stealthily covered 4800 kilometers across the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal under the command of Zafar Muhammad, with 10 officers and 82 sailors on board, aiming to locate and sink the Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. On December 4, 1971, PNS Ghazi mysteriously sank, leading to diverse narratives. While Indian Navy claims responsibility for its sinking, Pakistan disagrees.
Currently, Pakistan is developing a new submarine with China, named the PNS Ghazi Warrior Attack Submarine. Under the Hangor Class Submarine project, they are constructing 8 submarines jointly, with 4 in China and 4 in Pakistan. The second named of these is PNS Ghazi, expected from China in 2023.
The PNS Ghazi (Warrior) Attack Submarine is a diesel-electric vessel, weighing 2800 tons. Measuring 249.4 feet in length, it features advanced air-independent propulsion (AIP) to remain submerged for over two weeks, reaching a speed of 37 kilometers per hour.
Source: aajtak
Armed with formidable weaponry, PNS Ghazi carries 21-inch torpedo tubes to deploy six Yu-6 torpedoes and submarine-launched Babur-3 cruise missiles. Currently, Pakistan's arsenal includes the subsonic Babur land attack missile, and PNS Ghazi will also feature YJ-82 anti-ship missiles.
The Hangor Class Submarine lineup includes PNS Hangor (Shark), PNS Ghazi (Warrior), PNS Shushuk (South Asian river dolphin), PNS Mangro, PNS Tasnim (Ahmed Tasnim), PNS Seem Maai (Carp), with the last two names yet to be determined. China will deliver the initial four submarines, and by 2028, Pakistan will acquire the remaining four, built at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works.
India's Sindhughosh Class submarines present a potent challenge. These 8 Sindhughosh/Kilo Class Submarines boast advanced weaponry, including Club-S/Caliber cruise missiles that strike targets at 3581 kilometers per hour, and Type 53 torpedoes capable of reaching 83 kilometers per hour, making them formidable against enemy submarines and warships. Additionally, Test 71/76 anti-submarine torpedoes enhance their arsenal with 24 torpedoes onboard.
Pakistan might hesitate to engage India, given the formidable response Indian forces can deliver on land, air, and sea. The Pakistan Navy doesn't rank among the top ten global naval forces, while the Indian Navy ranks fourth.
