View source for Pakistan Navy

{{Short description|Maritime service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces}}
{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=January 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Pakistan Navy
| native_name                   = {{nq|پاکستان بحریہ}}
| image                         = Pakistan Navy emblem.svg
| image_size                    = 160
| caption                       = [[Crest (heraldry)|Crest]] of Pakistan Navy
| start_date                    = {{start date|1947|08|14|df=yes}}<br />({{Age in years and months|1947|08|14}} ago)
| country                       = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| motto                         = [[Classical Arabic|Arabic]]: {{langx|ar|حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ|label=none}} <br />{{langx|ur|ہمارے لیے اللّٰہ کافی ہے اور وہ بہترین کارساز ہے۔}} <br />([[English language|English]]: ''Allah is Sufficient for us - and what an excellent (reliable) Trustee (of affairs) is He!'')<ref>{{cite web|title=Pakistan Navy – Commandments|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116181854/https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/|archive-date=16 November 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|website=www.paknavy.gov.pk}}</ref><br />(''[[Quran|Qur'an]], [[Al Imran|3:173]]'')
| type                          = [[Navy]]
| role                          = {{plainlist|
* [[Naval warfare]]
* [[Maritime security]]
* [[Power projection]]
* [[Coastal defence and fortification|Coastal defence]]
* [[Second-strike capability]]<ref name="NIT Pakistan Directorate" />}}
| size                          = * 30,000 [[Active duty|active-duty]] personnel 
* 5,000 [[Military reserve force|reserve force]]
* 3,200 [[Pakistan Marines|Marines]]
* 2,000 [[Pakistan Maritime Security Agency|Maritime Security Agency]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2024 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |date=February 2024 |isbn=9781032780047 |location=[[London]] |ref=IISS2024}}</ref>
| command_structure             = [[Pakistan Armed Forces]]
| garrison                      = [[Naval Headquarters (Pakistan)|Naval Headquarters (NHQ)]], [[Sectors of Islamabad#E-sectors|Sector E-9]], [[Islamabad]]
| garrison_label                = Headquarters
| colors                        = {{legend inline|#1F305E|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}{{legend inline|#FFFFFF|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
| colors_label                  = Colours
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| anniversaries                 = [[Navy Day]]: 8 September
| equipment                     = [[List of active Pakistan Navy ships]]
| equipment_label               = Fleet
| battles                       = {{collapsible list
 | titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
 | title = ''See list:''
|[[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts]]
* {{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]}}
* {{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]}}
* {{small|[[Bangladesh Liberation War]]}}
* {{small|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1999]]}}
* {{small|[[2001 India Pakistan standoff|Indo-Pakistani standoff in 2001]]}}
* {{small|[[2008 India Pakistan standoff|Indo-Pakistani standoff in 2008]]}}
* {{small|[[India–Pakistan border skirmishes (2016–2018)]]}}
* {{small|[[2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes]]}}
[[List of modern conflicts in the Middle East|Conflict in Arab world]]
* {{small|[[Gulf War]]}}
* {{small|[[Pakistan Armed Forces deployments in Saudi Arabia]]}}
[[War in Afghanistan (1978–present)|War in Afghanistan]]
* {{small|[[NATO logistics in the Afghan War]]}}
* {{small|[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]}}
[[Somali Civil War]]
*{{small|[[Operation United Shield]]}}
* {{small|[[Operation Restore Hope]]}}
* {{small|[[Operation Umeed-e-Nuh]]}}
[[Sri Lankan civil war]]
* {{small|[[Pakistan's military assistance to Sri Lanka|Military assistance to Sri Lanka]]}}
[[War on Terror]]
* {{small|[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]}}
* {{small|[[War in North-West Pakistan]]}}
* {{small|[[Balochistan insurgency]]}}
* {{small|[[Piracy in Somalia|Operations Near the Horn of Africa]]}}
[[UN peacekeeping missions involving Pakistan|UN Peacekeeping missions]]
* {{small|[[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|2004 Tsunami relief operations]]}}
* {{small|[[Operation Madad (Pakistan Navy)|Operation Madad]]}}
[[Yemeni civil war (2014–present)|Yemeni civil war]]
* {{small|[[Evacuation of Pakistani citizens during the Yemeni civil war (2015)|Evacuation of Pakistani citizens]]}}
* {{small|[[Blockade of Yemen]]}}
* {{small|[[Red Sea crisis]]}}
[[Afghanistan–Pakistan clashes (2024–present)]]
}}
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = 
| battle_honours_label          = 
| flying_hours                  = 
| website                       = {{URL|https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/|paknavy.gov.pk}}
| commander1                    = {{flagicon image|Flag of the President of Pakistan.svg}} [[President of Pakistan|President]] [[Asif Ali Zardari]]
| commander1_label              = [[Commander-in-chief#Pakistan|Commander-in-Chief]]
| commander2                    = {{flagicon image|Pakistan Navy Admiral.svg}} [[Admiral (Pakistan)|Adm.]] [[Naveed Ashraf]]<ref name="Naveed">{{cite news|date=8 October 2023|title=Admiral Naveed Ashraf takes charge as naval chief|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1779943|publisher=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|first=Malik|last=Asad}}</ref>
| commander2_label              = [[Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of the Naval Staff]]
| commander3                    = {{flagicon image|Pakistan Navy Vice Admiral.svg}} [[Vice Admiral (Pakistan)|V/Adm.]] [[Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami]]
| commander3_label              = [[Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Vice Chief of the Naval Staff]]
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Naval Standard of Pakistan.svg|border|125px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = [[War flag|Flag]]
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Naval Jack of Pakistan.svg|125px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[Naval jack|Jack]]
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Naval Ensign of Pakistan.svg|border|125px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = [[Naval ensign|Ensign]]
| identification_symbol_4       = [[File:Roundel of Pakistan – Naval Aviation.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_4_label = [[Roundel]]
| identification_symbol_5       = 
| identification_symbol_5_label = <!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_attack               = 
| aircraft_bomber               = 
| aircraft_electronic           = 
| aircraft_fighter              = 
| aircraft_helicopter           = [[Harbin Z-9]]<br />[[Aérospatiale Alouette III|Alouette III]]<br />[[Westland Sea King]]
| aircraft_helicopter_attack    = 
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo     = 
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole = 
| aircraft_helicopter_observation = 
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer   = 
| aircraft_helicopter_transport = 
| aircraft_helicopter_utility   = 
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_patrol               = [[ATR-72-500]]<br />[[Lockheed P-3 Orion|Lockheed P-3C Orion]]<br />[[Embraer Lineage 1000]]
| aircraft_recon                = [[GIDS Uqab]]<br />[[EMT Luna X-2000|EMT Luna X]]<br />[[Hawker 800|Hawker 850XP]]
| aircraft_trainer              = 
| aircraft_transport            = [[ATR 72-500]]
| aircraft_tanker               = 
| aircraft_general              = 
}}

The '''Pakistan Navy''' ('''PN''') ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|پاکستان بحریہ}}|Pākistān Bahrí'a}}, {{IPA|ur|ˈpaːkɪstaːn baɦɽia|pron}}) or '''Pak Navy''' is the [[naval warfare]] branch of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]]. The [[Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of the Naval Staff]], a four-star [[Admiral (Pakistan)|admiral]], commands the navy and is a member of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]]. The Pakistan Navy operates on [[Geography of Pakistan|the coastline of Pakistan]] in the [[Arabian Sea]] and [[Gulf of Oman]]. It was established in August 1947, following the [[independence of Pakistan|creation of Pakistan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Official History of Pakistan Navy |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/history.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=29 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101033943/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/history.html |archive-date=1 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The primary role of the Pakistan Navy is to defend Pakistan's sea frontiers from any external enemy attack.<ref name="Pakistan Navy Public and Military Affairs">{{cite web| last =Pakistan Navy| title =Pakistan Navy: Roles and Function| website =Naval Inter-Service Public Relation (Naval ISPR)| publisher =Pakistan Navy Public and Military Affairs| date =18 March 2008| url =http://www.paknavy.gov.pk| access-date=4 July 2011| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090430203704/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/| archive-date =30 April 2009| url-status =live| df =dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="IDEAS -Pakistan Navy">{{cite web |title=IDEAS -Pakistan Navy |url=http://ideaspakistan.gov.pk/about_pak_navy.php |website=ideaspakistan.gov.pk |access-date=29 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129181413/http://ideaspakistan.gov.pk/about_pak_navy.php |archive-date=29 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to its war services, the Navy has mobilized its [[Military logistics|war assets]] to conduct [[Operation Madad (Pakistan Navy)|humanitarian rescue operations]] at home as well as participating in [[Combined Maritime Forces|multinational task forces]] mandated by the [[United Nations]] to prevent seaborne terrorism and piracy off the coasts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page%3D2009%5C07%5C21%5Cstory_21-7-2009_pg7_29 |title=Daily Times |access-date=18 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202235725/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C07%5C21%5Cstory_21-7-2009_pg7_29|archive-date=2 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Khan|first=(Retd.) Commander Muhammad Azam|title=Options for Pakistan Navy: § Pakistan Navy: A sentinel for energy and economic security|page=7|location=[[United States Naval Academy]]|year=2011|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:07Y3Irx3AO8J:www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/cc6209f2-7f01-4bb7-ac24-8c301c62f015/S-2--Options-for-the-Pakistan-Navy+pakistan+navy+in+space+program&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiCaTe2oeJ2JwqKQE0UX8j-cw-UPdVfozoMAwRfsYewXAXeayLVIPxn2TyMVcGTW9A_BdSqACZjpRhb8_u-EfL-kslbz7CXPTIr9PZBtAguv97XWyY4K4fsg2utDUL8dmXdtmjg&sig=AHIEtbTIXTgr9LKaJv5Fbgnj_ftn-1MQzw}}</ref>

The Pakistan Navy is a [[Volunteer military|volunteer force]] which has been in conflict with neighbouring [[India]] [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|twice]] on its sea borders. It has been [[Pakistani military deployments|repeatedly deployed]] in the [[Indian Ocean]] to act as a military advisor to Gulf Arab states and other [[Foreign policy of Pakistan|friendly nations]] during the events of multinational conflict as part of its commitment to the [[United Nations]].<ref name="Knowledge World, Roy-Chaudhury, 2000">{{cite book |last1=Roy-Chaudhury |first1=Rahul |title=India's Maritime Security |date=2000 |publisher=Knowledge World |isbn=9788186019290 |page=208 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sJTfAAAAMAAJ&q=%22second%20largest%22 |access-date=29 January 2019 |language=en |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211419/https://books.google.com/books?id=sJTfAAAAMAAJ&q=%22second%20largest%22 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|88}} The Pakistan Navy has several components including [[Pakistan Naval Aviation|Naval Aviation]], [[Pakistan Marines|Marines]], and the [[Pakistan Maritime Security Agency|Maritime Security Agency]] (a [[coast guard]]).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vk8-vgAACAAJ&q=IISS+2017|title=The Military Balance 2017|last=(Iiss)|first=The International Institute of Strategic Studies|date=14 February 2017|publisher=Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Incorporated|isbn=9781857439007|language=en|access-date=10 June 2022|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205200222/https://books.google.com/books?id=Vk8-vgAACAAJ&q=IISS+2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Mills, J.M. (2003). Exploring polar frontiers: a historical encyclopedia. 1 (A–M). Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO.</ref><ref>{{cite web| last=PN| first=Pakistan Navy| title=Pakistan Navy: Hydrography| website =Naval Inter-Service Public Relation (Naval ISPR)| publisher=Pakistan Navy Department of National Research and Hydrography| url=http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/hydro/h_intro.htm| access-date=12 June 2011| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063443/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/hydro/h_intro.htm| archive-date=24 September 2015| df=dmy-all}}</ref> Since its commencement, the defensive role of the navy has expanded from securing the [[Sea lines of communication|sealines]] and becoming the custodian of Pakistan's [[second strike capability]] with an ability to launch underwater missile system to target enemy positions.<ref name="Reuters, Zahra-Malik and Macfie, 2017">{{cite news |last1=Zahra-Malik |first1=Mehreen |last2=Macfie |first2=Nick |title=Pakistan fires 'first submarine-launched nuclear-capable missile' |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-missiles-idUSKBN14T1EL |access-date=29 January 2019 |work=Reuters |agency=Reuters Pakistan Bureau |date=10 January 2017 |location=Islamabad |language=en-us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119000353/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-missiles-idUSKBN14T1EL|archive-date=19 January 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Chief of the Naval Staff is nominated by the Prime Minister and appointed by the President of Pakistan. Admiral [[Naveed Ashraf]] is the incumbent chief since 7 October 2023.<ref name="Naveed"/>

==History==
===Division of the Royal Indian Navy in 1947===
{{Main|Royal Indian Navy|India in World War II|Partition of British India}}

{{Blockquote|text= Today is a historic day for Pakistan, doubly so for those of us in the Navy. The [[Dominion of Pakistan]] has come into being and with it a new Navy – the Royal Pakistan Navy – has been born. I am proud to have been appointed to command it and serve with you at this time. In the coming months, it will be my duty and yours to build up our Navy into a happy and efficient force|sign=[[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], the [[Quaid-e-Azam|founder]] of [[Pakistan]], addressing the men and officers of [[HMIS Godavari]] in March 1948<ref name="Pakistan Navy, Historical reference"/>}}

[[File:Battery breaching the Delhi Gate of the town, manned by European sailors of the Indian Navy. Jan. 1, 1849 - ILN 1849.jpg|thumb|right|250px|{{small|The [[Royal Indian Navy]]'s [[Royal Navy ratings rank insignia|rating sailors]] breaching the [[Gates of Delhi]] during the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|rebellion against the British rule]] in India in 1857}}]]

The Pakistan Navy came into existence on 15 August 1947 with the [[Creation of Pakistan|establishment of Pakistan]] as an independent state from the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="Pakistan Navy, Historical reference">{{cite web|last=GoPAK|first=Government of Pakistan|title=History|url=http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/history.htm|website=Electronic Government of Pakistan|publisher=Pakistan Navy, Historical reference|access-date=6 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205154529/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/history.htm|archive-date=5 December 2011}}</ref> The Armed Forces Reconstitution Committee (AFRC), under [[Field Marshal Auchinleck]], the last British [[Commander-in-Chief, India]] (C-in-C, India), divided the shares and assets of the [[Royal Indian Navy]] (RIN) between India and Pakistan in a ratio of 2:1,<ref name="Notion Press, Col. Chandar, 2018">{{cite book |last1=Chandar (Retd)|first1=Col Y. Udaya|title=Independent India's All the Seven Wars |date=2018 |publisher=Notion Press|location=Chennai, Ind.|isbn=9781948473224|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pwxFDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT42|language=en-gb|chapter-format=google books|chapter={{small|(Partition of the British Indian Armed Forces)}} |access-date=29 January 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211444/https://books.google.com/books?id=pwxFDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT42|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|conts.}} despite Pakistan having inherited the high percentage of [[river delta|delta]] areas on its coast and the large maritime area covering the [[Arabian sea]] on the West and the [[Bay of Bengal]] on the East.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cheema |first1=Pervaiz Iqbal |title=The Armed Forces of Pakistan |date=2002 |publisher=NYU Press |isbn=9780814716335 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cw_gduyRv5oC&pg=PA90 |language=en |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211419/https://books.google.com/books?id=cw_gduyRv5oC&pg=PA90 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|90}} Pakistan received two [[Sloop-of-war|sloops]], two [[frigate]]s, four minesweepers, two [[naval trawler]]s and four harbour launches.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|45–46}} In addition, India also objected to transfer any machinery at the [[Bombay Dockyard]] to Pakistan and further refused to part the machinery that happened to be on its soil.<ref name="NYU Press, PI Cheema, 2002" />{{rp|90}}

The navy endured a difficult beginning{{emdash}}of only 200 officers and 3,000 sailors inherited, the most senior was [[Captain (naval)|Captain]] [[HMS Choudri]], who had little experience in [[military staff]]ing.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|45}} Of the 200 officers, twenty had come from the executive branch of the [[Royal Indian Navy]],.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kazi |first1=AGN |title=List of Naval officers transferred to Pakistan Navy on 15 August 1947 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/pimu/5346639918 |access-date=3 February 2019 |date=15 August 1947 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211165457/https://www.flickr.com/photos/pimu/5346639918 |archive-date=11 February 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Only six officers were [[mechanical engineers]]. There were no [[electrical engineers]] or specialists to care for the electrical systems used for weapons or other machinery.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|47}} The navy suffered perennial problems with inadequate staff, lack of operational bases, lack of financial support, and poor technological and personnel resources.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|45}} It was the smallest military branch, and lacked importance in federal budgeting.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|46}}

Defence plans were based primarily from the point of view of the [[Pakistan Army|army]] and [[Pakistan Air Force|air force]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|46}} The navy lacked facilities and maintenance machinery, as the only naval dockyard on the [[Indian Subcontinent|subcontinent]] was located in [[Bombay Dockyard|Bombay]] in [[India]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|46}}

To overcome these difficulties, the navy launched a recruitment programme for the young nation, starting in [[East Pakistan]]. Sustaining the programme there proved difficult; therefore, it was moved to concentrate recruitment in [[West Pakistan]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|46}} Furthermore, procurement was greatly determined by the navy's role in previous wars.  Most functions were in coastal defense and monitoring sea lanes, not in combat, making it difficult to justify spending on major weapons systems.<ref name="Springer, Siddiqa-Agha">{{cite book|last1=Siddiqa-Agha|first1=A.|title=Pakistan's Arms Procurement and Military Buildup, 1979–99: In Search of a Policy|publisher=Springer|isbn=9780230513525|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=beJ8DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA66|language=en|date=20 March 2001|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211420/https://books.google.com/books?id=beJ8DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA66|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|66}}

===The beginning: 1947–1964===
====Reorganization (1947–1964)====
{{Main|United Kingdom-Pakistan relations|l1=Pakistan-United Kingdom military relations|Pakistan-United States military relations|Indo-Pakistani war of 1947|British Admiralty|Military Advisory Assistance Group}}
[[File:Shamsher Pakistan SLV Green 1951.jpg|thumb|left|350px|[[HMS Nadder|PNS ''Shamsher'']] visiting [[Australia]] in 1951. The [[frigate]] was transferred to Pakistan by the [[Royal Indian Navy]] in 1947 as a training ship.<ref>Raymond V B Blackman (ed.). Jane's Fighting Ships 1963-4,. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd. p. 19.</ref>{{rp|19}}]]

The Navy's combat actions largely remained in absence during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|first war]] with [[India]] in 1947–48 as all the fighting was restricted to [[Land Warfare|land]] and [[Air warfare|aerial combat]] missions.<ref name="W. W. Norton & Company"/>{{rp|474}} On operational planning, Captain HMS Choudri had engaged on commanding a former [[Royal Indian Navy|RIN]] [[destroyer]] from [[Karachi]] to [[Bombay]] to oversee the evacuation of [[Muhajir (Urdu-speaking people)|Indian emigrants]] to Pakistan.<ref name="W. W. Norton & Company">{{cite book|last1=Read|first1=Anthony|last2=Fisher|first2=David|title=The Proudest Day: India's Long Road to Independence|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|isbn=9780393318982|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q9ebuSG64dkC&pg=PA474|language=en|date=July 1999|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211421/https://books.google.com/books?id=q9ebuSG64dkC&pg=PA474|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|474}} In 1948, the Royal Pakistan Navy had to engage in humanitarian missions to evacuate [[Indians in Pakistan|Indian immigrants]] trapped in disputed and hostile areas, with its frigates operating continuously.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|48}}

Command and control of the new Royal Pakistan Navy was extremely difficult as [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Liaquat Ali Khan]]'s [[Ali Khan administration|administration]] had to extend the employment of a large number of the [[Royal Navy]] [[Royal Navy officer rank insignia|officers]] from the [[British Admiralty]], with [[Rear admiral (Royal Navy)|Rear Admiral]] [[James Wilfred Jefford]], [[Royal Navy|RN]], appointed as the [[Commander in Chief (Pakistan Navy)|Flag Officer Commanding]] (FOC) who worked on creating the contingency plan, "Short-term Emergency Plan (STEP)", to work up the [[frigate]]s and naval defences in case of escalation of the war at sea.<ref name="Pakistan Navy, Historical reference" /><ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|48}} In 1948, the Directorate-General for the [[Naval Intelligence of Pakistan|Naval Intelligence]] (DGNI), a staff corps, was established under [[Lieutenant (naval)|Lieutenant]] [[Syed Mohammad Ahsan|S. M. Ahsan]], who served as its first Director-General, in Karachi.<ref name="Pakistan Navy, Historical reference" /> When the first war came to an end in 1948, the Navy temporarily established its [[NHQ (Pakistan Navy)|Navy NHQ]] in Karachi and acquired its first [[O and P-class destroyer|O-class destroyer]] from the transfer by the [[Royal Navy]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|49}}

The Royal Pakistan Navy greatly depended on the generous donations from the British [[Royal Navy]] with two {{sclass2|Battle|destroyer|2}}s, {{ship|PNS|Tippu Sultan|D49|6}} and {{ship|PNS|Tariq|D129|6}}.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium">{{cite web|last1=PakDef Military Consortium|title=The First Destroyer|url=http://pakdef.org/the-first-destroyer/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060749/http://pakdef.org/the-first-destroyer/|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2016|website=pakdef.org|publisher=PakDef Military Consortium|access-date=14 November 2016}}</ref> ''Tippu Sultan'' was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 30 September 1949, under Commander P.S. Evans, whilst ''Tariq'' was placed under the command of [[Lieutenant-Commander]] [[Afzal Rahman Khan|A. R. Khan]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium"/> The two destroyers formed the [[25th Destroyer Squadron]], as [[HMIS Narbada (U40)|PNS ''Jhelum'']] and [[HMS Onslaught (G04)|PNS ''Tughril'']], under Commander [[Muzaffar Hassan|Muzaffar Hasan]], also joined the Royal Pakistan Navy.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium"/>

In 1950, the Navy's [[Nationalization in Pakistan|nationalisation]] took place when many officers from the air force and army volunteered to join the navy and [[Noncommissioned officer|NCOs]] gaining commission as an officers.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|50–51}} Support from the army and air force to the navy led to the establishment of logistics and maintenance machinery with vigorous efforts directed towards integrating the navy presence in [[East Pakistan]], thereby creating opportunities for people in East Pakistan to participate in the build-up.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|51}}

In 1951, the [[Pakistan Government|Pakistan government]] called for appointing native chiefs of the armed forces, but it was not until 1953 that a native navy chief was appointed.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|51–52}} The [[British Admiralty]], however, maintained the command of the Navy through Rear-Admiral Jefford who had native deputy chiefs of staff including [[Commodore (rank)|Commodore]] HMS Choudhri, Commodore Khalid Jamil, and [[Commander (rank)|Commander]] M.A. Alavi.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|51–52}}

[[File:HMS Gabbard (D47).jpg|thumb|300px|right|PNS ''Badr'', a destroyer, visiting [[Great Britain]] on a goodwill mission in 1957]]

During this time, a number of goodwill missions were carried out by the navy's warships, and non-combat missions were conducted under the auspices of the Royal Navy.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium" /> In 1951, HMS Choudhri's promotion papers as naval chief were approved by [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] [[Liaquat Ali Khan]] but it was not until 1953 when HMS Choudhri was promoted as [[vice admiral]] and commander with the support from [[Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army|army commander-in-chief]] General [[Ayub Khan (general)|Ayub Khan]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|52}} He handed over the command of 25th Destroyer squadron to a [[People of Poland|Polish]] naval officer, Commander {{ill|Romuald Nalecz-Tyminski|pl|Romuald Nalecz-Tyminsk|vertical-align=sup}}.<ref name="Polish Spirit">{{cite web|title=Admiral Romuald Nalecz-Tyminski|url=http://www.federacjapolek.ca/nowy/image/2009_images/polish_spirit_persons/nalecz-tyminski.pdf|website=federacjapolek.ca|publisher=Polish Spirit|access-date=15 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510102610/http://www.federacjapolek.ca/nowy/image/2009_images/polish_spirit_persons/nalecz-tyminski.pdf|archive-date=10 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the mid-1950s, the [[Ministry of Finance (Pakistan)|Ministry of Finance]] awarded contracts to the [[Corps of Engineers, Pakistan Army|Corps of Engineers (Pakistan Army)]] for the construction of the [[Karachi Naval Dockyard]].<ref name="Pakistan Navy, Historical reference" /> In 1954, several efforts were made to procure a [[British H-class submarine|Ch-class submarine]] from the Royal Navy but was rejected by [[British Admiralty]] which agreed to loan the {{sclass2|Ch|destroyer|1}}, {{HMS|Chivalrous|R21|6}}, which was renamed PNS ''Taimur''.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|51–52}} From 1953 to 1956, HMS Choudri bitterly negotiated with the United States over the modernisation of the navy and convinced the [[United States government|U.S. government]] to provide monetary support for modernisation of ageing O–class destroyers and [[minesweeper]]s, while commissioning the Ch–class destroyers from the Royal Navy.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|54}} British naval tradition was disbanded and cancelled when the [[United States Navy]]'s [[Military Assistance Advisory Group|advisers]] were dispatched to the [[Pakistan Armed Forces|Pakistani military]] in 1955.<ref name="Hamid Hussain, Defence Journal of Pakistan">{{cite web|last=Hamid Hussain|title=Tale of a love affair that never was: United States-Pakistan Defence Relations|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/june/loveaffair.htm|website=Hamid Hussain, Defence Journal of Pakistan|access-date=12 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304115412/http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/june/loveaffair.htm|archive-date=4 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

With the promulgation of the [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1956|Constitution of Pakistan]] that established the [[republicanism]] featuring the [[Federalism in Pakistan|federalised government]], the prefix ''Royal'' was dropped, and the service was re-designated the Pakistan Navy ("'''PN'''") with the [[Naval jack|Jack]] replaced the [[Colours, standards and guidons#United Kingdom|Queen's colour]] and the [[White Ensign]] respectively in 1956.<ref name="Pakistan Navy, Historical reference" /> The order of precedence of the three services changed from Navy–Army–Air force to Army–Navy–Air Force.<ref name="AuthorHouse, 2013">{{cite book|last1=Fagoyinbo|first1=Joseph Babatunde|title=The Armed Forces: Instrument of Peace, Strength, Development and Prosperity|date=2013|publisher=AuthorHouse|location=Bloomington, Indiana|isbn=978-1477226476|page=473|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qM0uxPH8RasC&pg=PA390|chapter-format=Google Books|chapter=§The birth of Pakistan Armed Forces|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211422/https://books.google.com/books?id=qM0uxPH8RasC&pg=PA390|url-status=live}}</ref>{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}}

In February 1956, the British government announced the transfer of several major surface combat warships to Pakistan Navy, including a cruiser and four destroyers to be purchased with funds made available under the U.S. [[Military Assistance Program]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|54}} In 1957, the Navy finalised the purchase of a [[HMS Diadem (84)|cruiser]] from the United Kingdom and used the government's own funds for the purchase which caused a great ire against Admiral Choudhri in the Finance Ministry.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|55}}

In 1958, the Navy made an unsuccessful attempt to obtain {{sclass|Neptun|submarine|1}}s from Sweden using the American security funds; it was halted by the United States and Pakistan's Finance Ministry despite the fact that the idea had support from [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Army GHQ]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|57}} In 1958–59, the [[NHQ (Pakistan Navy)|Navy NHQ]] staff began quarrelling with the Army GHQ staff and the [[Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)|Ministry of Defense]] (MoD) over plans regarding the modernisation of the navy that resulted in bitter [[interservice rivalry]] between army and navy and ended with Admiral Choudri's resignation to the [[Aiwan-e-Sadr|Presidency]] in 1959.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|57}}

Proposal of attaining the [[aircraft carrier]] was deferred due to financial constraints, forcing Pakistan to move towards establishing the formidable submarine command.<ref name="Lancer Publications and Distributors, Hiranandani, 2000">{{cite book |last1=Hiranandani |first1=V adm. G.M. |author-link1=Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani |title=Transition to Triumph |date=2000 |publisher=Lancer Publications and Distributors |location=New Delhi, India |isbn=9781897829721 |page=415 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zFyMKROi46kC&dq=Pakistan+navy+aircraft+carrier+submarine&pg=PA108 |access-date=30 January 2019 |language=en-uk |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(§Pakistan Navy's underwater forces program)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211429/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Transition_to_Triumph/zFyMKROi46kC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Pakistan+navy+aircraft+carrier+submarine&pg=PA108&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|108}} From 1956 to 1963, two destroyers, eight coastal minesweepers, and an [[Replenishment oiler|oiler]] were procured from the United States and United Kingdom as a direct result of Pakistan's participation in the anti-Communist defence pacts [[SEATO]] and [[CENTO]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>

===War with India and subsequent war deployments (1965–1970)===
{{Main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Somnath|PNS Ghazi|l3=1967 PNS Ghazi's circumnavigation}}

After the bitter resignation of Vice-Admiral HMS Choudri in 1959, Vice-Admiral [[Afzal Rahman Khan]] was appointed as the [[Commander in Chief (Pakistan Navy)|Commander in Chief]] in Navy who worked towards building relations with President [[Ayub Khan (general)|Ayub Khan]] in retaining hopes for procuring a submarine despite financial constraints.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|58–59}} The Royal Navy accepted the long awaiting requests from the Pakistan Navy for a regular visit to [[Karachi Naval Dockyard]] to provide first hand experience in submarine operations in 1960–61.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|58}} The [[President Ayub Khan|Ayub administration]] did not increase the financial funding of the navy at the expense to army and air force but he did not object to American contributions to train the Pakistan Navy in submarine operations.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|59}} It was the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] that provided an insightful and crucial training support to Pakistan Navy enabling it to conduct operations in long range in the [[Indian Ocean]] and the proposal of procuring the submarine was met with favourable views in 1963 due to the prospect of the [[Soviet Navy]] leasing a submarine to the [[Indian Navy]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|58}} After seeing the U.S. contribution, the [[United Kingdom]] decided to provide training and education to Pakistan Navy on submarine operations, and in 1964, {{ship|PNS|Ghazi}} was commissioned from the United States under the [[Security Assistance Program]] (SAP).<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|58}}

[[File:Ussdiablo.jpg|thumb|280px|{{ship|PNS|Ghazi}} in [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1965|war theatre]] in 1965. She executed a [[circumnavigation]] of Africa and Southern Europe in order to be refit in Turkey in 1968. Sunk in 1971 under mysterious circumstances.<ref name="Usman Tariq Pakdef"/>]]

Even though, neither the Navy nor the Air Force was notified of the [[Operation Gibraltar|Kashmir incursion]] in 1965, the Navy was well-prepared at the time when the [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1965|second war]] broke out between Pakistan and India in 1965.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors">{{cite book |last1=Goldrick |first1=James Vincent Purcell |author-link1=James Goldrick |title=No Easy Answers: The development of the navies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka (1945–1996) |date=1997 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |location=London, UK |isbn=9781897829-028 |page=270 |edition=1st |chapter-url=http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/PIAMA02.pdf |access-date=29 January 2019 |chapter={{small|The Pakistan Navy (1947-71)}} |archive-date=24 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224095145/http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/PIAMA02.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)|naval chief]] Admiral [[Afzal Rahman Khan]] ordered all war units of the Pakistan Navy to take up defensive positions off the coast, but did not order any offensive operations in the [[Bay of Bengal]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|60–61}} As the [[Indian Air Force]]'s repeated sorties and raids disrupted [[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]] operations, the Navy assumed a more aggressive role in the conflict.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|61}} On 2 September, the Navy deployed its first long-range submarine, PNS ''Ghazi'' under [[Commander (rank)|Commander]] [[Karamat Rahman Niazi|K. R. Niazi]] which was charged with gathering intelligence on Indian naval movements that stalked the diverting threats posed by the aircraft carrier {{INS|Vikrant|1961|6}}.<ref name="Usman Tariq Pakdef">{{cite web|last1=Usman|first1=Tariq|title=1965 War|url=http://pakdef.org/1965-war-3/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330222928/http://pakdef.org/1965-war-3/|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 March 2014|website=pakdef.org|publisher=Usman Tariq Pakdef|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>

On the night of 7/8 September, a naval squadron comprising four destroyers, one frigate, one cruiser, and one submarine, under the command of Commodore [[S. M. Anwar]], launched [[Operation Dwarka|artillery operation]]— an attack on the radar facilities used by the Indian Air Force in the small coastal town of [[Dwarka]].<ref name="Usman Tariq Pakdef"/> The operation ended with limited damage to the area.<ref name="Usman Tariq Pakdef"/> After gunnery bombardment, {{ship|PNS|Ghazi||2}} was deployed against the Indian Navy's [[Western Naval Command]] at Bombay on 22 September and ended her operations and reported safely back to [[Karachi Naval Dockyard]] on 23 September 1965.<ref name="Usman Tariq Pakdef"/>

[[File:HMS Creole 1947 IWM FL 10775.jpg|290px|left|thumb|Small ship PNS ''Alamgir'' in 1947]]

The Pakistan Navy explored the idea of installing Russian [[Styx missile|missile system]] on former British frigates but Soviets refrained from doing so due to objections from India.<ref name="auto"/>

After the war, the United States imposed an arms embargo on Pakistan and Pakistani military began exploring options for military procurement from China, France, and Soviet Union.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|62}} The United Kingdom offered the Navy to jointly built the [[Type 21 frigate]] but was rejected by Ayub administration that would only allow the financial capital to be spent on submarine procurement.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|63}}

In 1966, the Pakistan Navy established its own [[special operations]] force, the [[Special Service Group Navy|Navy Special Service Group]] (Navy SSG) after the recommendations from the [[United States Navy]].<ref name="Global Security.org">{{cite web| title = Navy Special Forces| website = Global Security.org| url = http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Pakistan/SSGN.htm| access-date = 29 June 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110629083756/http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Pakistan/SSGN.htm| archive-date = 29 June 2011| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref> In 1966–70, Pakistan Navy had been well aware of massive [[Future of the Indian Navy|procurement and acquisitions]] of [[Weapon systems of the Indian Navy|weapon systems]] being acquired from the [[Soviet Union]] and [[United Kingdom]], and the danger it will posed to Pakistan.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|63}} In 1966–69, there were series of unsuccessful talks of acquiring the warships from the Soviet Navy which ended with no yielding results.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|63}} The Soviet Union offered to sell their {{sclass2|Osa|missile boat|1}} but Pakistan Navy wanted the [[Styx missile]]s to be installed in frigates in a believe that the missile boats were not big enough to meet the Pakistani requirements in operating in the [[Indian Ocean]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|63}} The Russians later determined to their strategic interests lay with India and allowed the developing relationship with Pakistan to wither.<ref name="auto">Story of the Pakistan Navy Op . Cit. pp. 283–288.</ref>{{rp|283–288}}

Difficulties arose between and after the arms embargo was lifted by the United States which lifted based strictly on [[Cash and carry (wholesale)|cash-and-carry]] basis.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|63}} Pleas for strengthening the Navy in [[East Pakistan]] were ignored due to monetary issues and financial constraints restricted the Navy's capabilities to function more efficiently.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|63}} In 1968, the {{sclass|Daphné|submarine|2}}<nowiki/>s were procured from France while operating {{sclass|Tench|submarine|2}}<nowiki/>s that was refitted and upgraded by the [[Turkish Navy]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|63}} Due to the Egyptian blockade of the [[Suez Canal]], the Navy had to execute a notable submerged [[circumnavigation]] operation from the Indian Ocean through the [[Atlantic Ocean]] in order to undergo a refit program at the [[Gölcük Naval Shipyard]] in Turkey which was the only facility to manage the [[refit]]ting and [[Mid-life update|mid-life upgrades]] of [[military computers]] of the ''Tench'' class.<ref name="DefenceJournal, Ahmed" />  Despite reservations harboring by the Navy NHQ about the ageing ''Ghazi'', she was sailed under the command of Commander [[Ahmed Tasnim]] starting from the [[Karachi coast]] in Indian Ocean to [[Cape of Good Hope]], [[South Africa]], through the Atlantic Ocean and ended at the east coast of the [[Sea of Marmara]] where the Gölcük Naval Shipyard was located.<ref name="DefenceJournal, Ahmed" />

In 1968–69, the Navy NHQ staff began its tussle with the [[AHQ (Pakistan Air Force)|AHQ]] staff over the issue establishing the [[Pakistan Naval Air Arm|naval aviation]] who feared the loss of fighter jets and their pilots in the sea and was hostile towards this idea.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|63}} The United States entered in discussing the transfer of [[List of Lockheed P-3 Orion variants|P3B Orion]] aircraft to the Navy in 1970 with [[President Yahya Khan|Yahya administration]] but were not procured until the end of the 1970s.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|63}} In 1970, the [[foreign relations]] between Pakistan and East Pakistan further deteriorated and the Navy knew that it was impossible to defend East Pakistan from approaching Indian Navy.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|63}} Series of reforms were carried when Navy's serious reservations were considered by the Yahya administration and [[East Pakistani]]s were hastily recruited in what was known as [[Eastern Command (Pakistan)|Eastern Naval Command (Pakistan)]] but this proved to be disaster for Navy when majority of Bengali naval officers and ≈3,000 sailors [[Operation Jackpot|defected to India]] to join the [[Awami League]]'s military wing– the ''[[Mukti Bahini]]''.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|64–65}} Such events had jeopardised the operational scope of the Navy and the Navy NHQ staffers and commanders knew very well that it (Navy) was ill-prepared for the war and Pakistan was about to learn the consequences of disconnecting strategy from reality.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|65}}

===Indo-Pakistan war of 1971===
{{Main|Operation Barisal|Operation Jackpot|Indo-Pakistani Naval War of 1971}}

By 1971, the Navy NHQ staffers and their commanders knew very well that the Pakistan Navy was poorly represented in East Pakistan (now [[Bangladesh]]) and there was no main infrastructure to conduct defensive operation against the [[Eastern Naval Command]] of Indian Navy in [[Bay of Bengal]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|64}} The Navy was only able conducted the [[Riverine Warfare|riverine]]-based operations that was being undertaken by the [[Pakistan Marines]] with the assistance from the [[Special Service Group Navy|Navy Special Service Group]], code named, [[Operation Barisal|Barisal]], in April 1971.<ref name="Pakistan Navy, Historical reference" /> Although, the Governor of East Pakistan, Vice-Admiral [[Syed Mohammad Ahsan|S.M. Ahsan]], made efforts to increase the naval presence and significance in 1969 but the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command continued to pose a significant threat since it had capability of conduct operations in long-range areas.<ref name="Inter Services Public Relations">{{cite book|last=Salik, PA|first=Siddique|title=Witness to Surrender|publisher=Inter Services Public Relations|location=Karachi, Pakistan|isbn=978-984-05-1374-1|pages=60–90|year=1997}}</ref>

Furthermore, the defections from Navy's Bengali officers and sailors had jeopardise the Navy's operational scope who went onto join the [[Awami League]]'s militant wing, the ''[[Mukti Bahini]]'' in a program known as ''Jackpot''.<ref name="Inter Services Public Relations"/> Though, the program was disrupted by the Navy from further annihilation but the naval facilities were severely damaged due to this operation on 15 March 1971.<ref name="Inter Services Public Relations"/> East-Pakistan's geography was surrounded by India on all three landward sides by the [[Indian Army]] as the Navy was in attempt to prevent India from blocking the coasts.<ref name="Inter Services Public Relations"/>

During this time, the Navy NHQ was housed in Karachi that decided to deploy the newly [[Mid-life update|MLU]] ''Ghazi'' submarine on East while {{ship|PNS|Hangor||2}} in West for the intelligence gathering purposes.<ref name="Inter Services Public Relations"/>

{{Blockquote|text=At the end of East-Pakistan crisis.... We (Eastern Command) had no intelligence and hence, were both deaf and blind with the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force pounding us day and night.... |sign=Admiral Mohammad Sharif, <small>to U.S. Admiral [[Elmo Zumwalt|Zumwalt]] in 1971</small><ref name="Lancer's Publishers and Distributions">{{cite book|last=Roy|first=Admiral Mihir K.|title=War in the Indian Ocean|year=1995|publisher=Lancer's Publishers and Distributions|location=United States|isbn=978-1-897829-11-0|pages=218–230|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tqr8r7EB18wC&pg=PA218}}</ref>}}

[[File:USS Wiltsie (DD-716).jpg|thumb|left|290px|PNS ''Nazim'', took part in the [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]] and [[Korean War]]s in the U.S. Navy as [[USS Wiltsie|USS ''Wiltsie'']]. She is now serving in the [[Pakistan Maritime Security Agency]] as its "on-sea" headquarters.]]

With no naval aviation branch to guard the [[Karachi port]], the Indian Navy breached the seaborne borders of Pakistan and successfully launched the [[Operation Trident (Indo-Pakistani War)|first missile attack]], consisting of three Soviet-built {{sclass2|Osa|missile boat}}s escorted by two [[anti-submarine]] patrol vessels on 4 December 1971.<ref name="M.A. Hussain Tiwana Defence Journal"/> Nearing Karachi's port area, the Indian Navy's squadron launched [[SS-N-2 Styx|Styx missiles]] anti-ship missiles, which the obsolescent Pakistani warships had no viable defence against.<ref name="M.A. Hussain Tiwana Defence Journal">{{cite web|last1=Tiwana|first1=M.A. Hussain|title=The Angry Sea|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/nov98/angrysea.htm|website=www.defencejournal.com|publisher=M.A. Hussain Tiwana Defence Journal|access-date=15 November 2016|date=November 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313073901/http://www.defencejournal.com/nov98/angrysea.htm|archive-date=13 March 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> Two of the warships, {{ship|PNS|Muhafiz}} and {{ship|PNS|Khaibar|1956|6}}, were sunk, while {{ship|PNS|Shahjahan}} was damaged beyond repair.<ref name="M.A. Hussain Tiwana Defence Journal"/> After the attacks, the Indian Navy's missile boat squadron safely returned to its home base without sustaining any damages.<ref name="M.A. Hussain Tiwana Defence Journal"/>

On 8 December 1971, {{ship|PNS|Hangor|S131|2}} commanded by its [[Commander (rank)|Commander]] [[Ahmed Tasnim]], sank the Indian frigate {{INS|Khukri|1958|6}} off the coast of Gujarat, India— this was the first sinking of a warship by a submarine since [[World War II]], and resulted in the loss of eighteen officers and one-seventy six sailors of the Indian Navy while the inflicting severe damages to another warship, INS ''Kirpan'', by the same submarine.<ref name="gs">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/hangor.htm|title=Hangor Class (Fr Daphn|author=John Pike|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427213837/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/hangor.htm|archive-date=27 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Pakistan Air Force]] now covering for Karachi made several of the unsuccessful attempts to engage the Indian Navy's missile boat squadron by carrying out the aerial bombing missions over the [[Okha, India|Okha Harbor]]– the forward base of the Indian Navy's missile boat squadron.<ref name="M.A. Hussain Tiwana Defence Journal"/> The Indian Navy retaliated with a [[Operation Python|second missile attack]] on Pakistan's coast on the night of 8 December 1971 when a small [[flotilla]] of Indian vessels, consisting of a missile boat and two frigates, approached Karachi and launched a missile attack that sank the Panamanian [[cargo ship]] ''Gulf Star'', PNS ''Dacca'' and the British merchant ship SS ''Harmattan'' were damaged.<ref name="M.A. Hussain Tiwana Defence Journal"/>

The missile-based attacks were the complete success for the Indian Navy, and a psychological trauma for Pakistan Navy, the human and material cost severely cutting into its combat capability, nearly 1,700 sailors perished at the barracks.<ref name="Trident, Grandslam and Python: Attacks on Karachi">{{cite web|last=IN|first=Indian Navt|title=Trident, Grandslam and Python: Attacks on Karachi|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/History/1971War/44-Attacks-On-Karachi.html|publisher=Trident, Grandslam and Python: Attacks on Karachi|access-date=9 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926174134/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/History/1971War/44-Attacks-On-Karachi.html|archive-date=26 September 2009}}</ref>

[[File:PNS Zulfiqar (K265) Former HMS Deveron..jpg|thumb|right|290px|{{ship|PNS|Zulfiqar|K265|6}} in 1947. She was subjected to a serious [[friendly fire]] incident during the [[Indo-Pakistani Naval War of 1971]] when the senior naval observers misidentified their own ship as a [[Osa-class missile boat|smaller missile boat]], giving clearance to the [[Pakistan Air Force]] to mount a missile attack.<ref name="Trident, Grandslam and Python: Attacks on Karachi"/> She was scrapped in metal in 1983.]]

The [[Commercial pilot license|commercial pilots]] from the [[Pakistan International Airlines]] volunteered to conduct air surveillance missions with the [[Pakistan Air Force]], but this proved less than helpful when the Pakistan Navy's forward observer team, led by [[Commodore (rank)|Cdre.]] [[A. W. Bhombal]] misidentified their own larger frigate, {{ship|PNS|Zulfiqar|K265|6}}, as an Indian missile boat, giving clearance to the [[F-86]] fighter jets of the [[Pakistan Air Force]] which made several attack runs before finally identifying ''Zulfiqar'' by the Navy NHQ.<ref name="Trident, Grandslam and Python: Attacks on Karachi"/> This serious [[friendly fire]] incident resulted in further loss of navy personnel, as well as the loss of the ship, which was severely damaged and the Pakistan Navy's operational capabilities were now virtually extinct, and morale plummeted.<ref name="Trident, Grandslam and Python: Attacks on Karachi"/> The Indian Navy observers who watched the raid nearby later wrote in their [[War diary|war logs]] that the "PAF pilots failed to recognize the difference between a large PNS ''Zulfiqar'' frigate and a relatively small Osa missile boat."<ref name="Trident, Grandslam and Python: Attacks on Karachi"/> The PAF, however, contested this claim by holding Cdre. Bhombal of the responsibility of misidentifying his own warship and giving clearance to the PAF to mount an attack on their own ship.<ref name="Trident, Grandslam and Python: Attacks on Karachi"/><ref name="archives.org. Haidar and Chopra, 2009">{{cite web |last1=Haidar |first1=Sajjad S. |last2=Chopra |first2=Pran |title=War on the Western Front |url=https://archive.org/stream/Flight-of-the-Falcon-Sajad-S-Haider/Flight%20of%20the%20Falcon-%20Demolishing%20Myths%20of%20Indo%20Pak%20Wars%201965-1971%20-%20Sajad%20S.%20Haider_djvu.txt |website=www.archive.org |publisher=archives |access-date=11 February 2019}}</ref>

The Navy's only long range submarine, ''Ghazi'', was deployed to the area but, according to neutral sources, it sank en route under mysterious circumstances.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZcejlMRYNAAC&pg=PA179|title=Seapower: A Guide for the Twenty-first Century|first=Geoffrey|last=Till|date=18 February 2019|publisher=Psychology Press|access-date=18 February 2019|via=Google Books|isbn=9780714655420}}</ref> Pakistani authorities state that it sank either due to internal explosion or detonation of mines which it was laying at the time.<ref>{{cite news|last=Joseph|first=Josy|title=Now, no record of Navy sinking Pakistani submarine in 1971|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Now-no-record-of-Navy-sinking-Pakistani-submarine-in-1971/articleshow/5919209.cms|access-date=28 May 2010|date=12 May 2010|quote=Pakistani authorities say the submarine sank because of either an internal explosion or accidental blast of mines that the submarine itself was laying around Vizag harbour.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811070608/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-12/india/28288237_1_submarine-ins-rajput-eastern-naval-command|archive-date=11 August 2011|work=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=live}}</ref> The Indian Navy claims to have sunk the submarine.<ref>[https://openlibrary.org/b/OL4243900M/No-way-but-surrender No way but surrender: an account of the Indo-Pakistan War in the Bay of Bengal, 1971] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211423/https://openlibrary.org/books/OL4243900M/No_way_but_surrender |date=5 February 2023 }} By Vice Admiral N. Krishnan (Retd.)</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jacob|first=Lt Gen JFR|title=The truth behind the Navy's 'sinking' of Ghazi|url=http://sify.com/news/the-truth-behind-the-navy-s-sinking-of-ghazi-news-columns-kfztj3bhjeh.html|website=sify news website|access-date=28 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528130109/http://sify.com/news/the-truth-behind-the-navy-s-sinking-of-ghazi-news-columns-kfztj3bhjeh.html|archive-date=28 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jacob|first=Lt Gen JFR|title=The truth behind the Navy's 'sinking' of Ghazi|url=http://sify.com/news/the-truth-behind-the-navy-s-sinking-of-ghazi-news-columns-kfztj3bhjeh.html|website=sify news website|access-date=28 May 2010|date=25 May 2010|quote=On December 9, the Navy announced that they had sunk the Ghazi on December 4, after the start of the war. Later, officers were decorated for their role and the offensive action of their ships in the sinking of the Ghazi. After the war, however, teams of divers confirmed that it was an internal explosion that sank the Ghazi. The log of the Ghazi was recovered and the last entry as far as I can recall was on November 29, 1971. Sadly, that too has been destroyed.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528130109/http://sify.com/news/the-truth-behind-the-navy-s-sinking-of-ghazi-news-columns-kfztj3bhjeh.html|archive-date=28 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/22inter.htm|title=The Rediff Interview/Admiral S M Nanda (retd) 'Does the US want war with India?'|last=Sengupta|first=Ramananda|date=22 January 2007|website=Interview|publisher=Rediff|access-date=26 March 2010|location=India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025190541/http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/22inter.htm|archive-date=25 October 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

The submarine's destruction enabled the Indian Navy to enforce a blockade on then East Pakistan.<ref name = Defencejournal>{{cite web | title=Maritime Awareness and Pakistan Navy | website=Defence Notes by Commander (Retd) Muhammad Azam Khan | url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/mar/maritime.htm | access-date=16 May 2005 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309235258/http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/mar/maritime.htm | archive-date=9 March 2016 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref> According to the defence magazine, ''Pakistan Defence Journal'', the attack on Karachi, Dhaka, Chittagong and the loss of ''Ghazi'', the Navy no longer was able to match the threat of Indian Navy as it was already outclassed by the Indian Navy after the 1965 war.<ref name="M.A. Hussain Tiwana Defence Journal" />

The damage inflicted by the Indian Navy and [[Indian Air Force]] on the Navy stood at seven [[gunboat]]s, one minesweeper, two destroyers, three [[patrol craft]], eighteen cargo, supply and communication vessels, and large-scale damage inflicted on the naval base and docks in the coastal town of Karachi.<ref name="M.A. Hussain Tiwana Defence Journal" /> Three merchant navy ships; Anwar Baksh, Pasni and Madhumathi;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/irfc/ezine/Trans2Trimph/chapters/39_transfer%20of%20ships1.htm|title=Chapter-39|access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301204938/http://www.irfc-nausena.nic.in/irfc/ezine/Trans2Trimph/chapters/39_transfer%20of%20ships1.htm|archive-date=1 March 2012}}</ref> and ten smaller vessels were captured.<ref name=Orbat>{{cite web |title=Damage Assessment – 1971 INDO-PAK Naval War |website=B. Harry |url=http://www.orbat.com/site/cimh/navy/kills(1971)-2.pdf |access-date=16 May 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051030235952/http://www.orbat.com/site/cimh/navy/kills(1971)-2.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2005  }}</ref> Around 1,900 personnel were lost, while 1413 servicemen (mostly officers) were captured by Indian forces in [[Dhaka]].<ref name="losses">{{cite web | title=Military Losses in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War | website=Venik | url=http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/vif2_project/indo_pak_war_1971.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020225045411/http://www.aeronautics.ru/archive/vif2_project/indo_pak_war_1971.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=25 February 2002 | access-date=30 May 2005 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Indian Navy lost 18 officers and 176 sailors<ref name="gs"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=153894 |title=Express India |access-date=24 August 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425031811/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=153894 |archive-date=25 April 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> and a frigate, while another frigate was damaged and a [[Breguet Alizé]] naval aircraft was shot down by the [[Pakistan Air Force]].<ref name="M.A. Hussain Tiwana Defence Journal" />

According to one Pakistan scholar, [[Tariq Ali]], the Pakistan Navy lost half its force in the war.<ref>{{cite book | author=Tariq Ali | author-link=Tariq Ali | year=1983 | title=Can Pakistan Survive? The Death of a State | publisher=Penguin Books | page=95 | isbn=978-0-14-02-2401-6 |quote=In a two-seek war, Pakistan lost half its navy.}}</ref> Despite the limited resources and manpower, the Navy performed its task diligently by providing support to inter-services (air force and army) until the end.<ref name="The Army Press, Islamabad">{{cite book|last=Shariff, PN|first=Admiral Mohammad|title=Admiral's Diary: Battling through stormy sea life for decades|year=2010|publisher=The Army Press, Islamabad|page=415|url=http://dawn.com/2010/10/24/excerpt-how-the-east-was-lost/|access-date=7 April 2012|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211429/https://www.dawn.com/news/575480/excerpt-how-the-east-was-lost|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to the testimony provided by the [[Admiral]] [[Mohammad Shariff]] in 2015, the primary reason for this loss has been attributed to the High Command's failure in defining a role for the Navy, or even considering Navy as military in general.<ref name="The Army Press, Islamabad"/> Since then the Navy has sought to improve the structure and fleet by putting special emphasis on sub-surface warfare capability as it allows for the most efficient way to deny the control of Pakistani sea lanes to an adversary.<ref name="The Army Press, Islamabad"/> In a thesis written by Dr. [[Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema|P. I. Cheema]] in 2002, [[Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan)|Ayub Khan]], who had enjoyed considerable influence on Pakistan's national politicians, did not fully understood the Navy as a [[military service]] or neither comprehend the importance of safeguarding the [[sea lines of communication]], which prevented the development of the Navy as a potent force as it should have in the 1970s.<ref name="NYU Press, PI Cheema, 2002" />{{rp|93}}

===Restructuring and building towards modern Navy: 1972–1989===
{{Main|Pakistan-United States military relations}}
[[File:PNS Ghazi 134 DN-SC-92-03633.JPEG|thumb|left|290px|The {{sclass|Daphné|submarine|1}} {{ship|PNS|Ghazi|S134|6}} deployed during the [[Operation Restore Hope]] in 1991. She was purchased from the [[Portuguese Navy]] in 1975 and joined the Pakistan Navy in 1977.<ref name="Navy ISPR, History" />]]
After [[Instrument of Surrender (1971)|1971 war]], steps were taken to modernise and increase the operational scope of the Navy.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" /><ref name="NYU Press, PI Cheema, 2002">{{cite book |last1=Cheema |first1=Pervaiz Iqbal |title=The Armed Forces of Pakistan |date=2002 |publisher=NYU Press |location=New York, Pakistan |isbn=9780814716335 |page=200 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cw_gduyRv5oC |access-date=31 January 2019 |language=en-us |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(§Evolution of Pakistan Navy)}} |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211424/https://books.google.com/books?id=cw_gduyRv5oC |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|103}}{{rp|65}} Unlike the army or the air force, the naval officers were able to continue their military service with the Navy, and their promotions were relatively quicker than other military branches in 1972–74.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors"/>{{rp|141}}

In January 1972, the [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto#President of Pakistan|Bhutto administration]] formed the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Prisoners of War Investigation|POW Commission]] to investigate the number of [[Prisoners of War|war prisoners]] held by the [[Indian Army]] in East and submitted the request to the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]] to investigate the causes of the war failure with India in 1971.<ref name="Lancer International, Rai, 1987">{{cite book |last1=Rai |first1=Ranjit |title=A Nation and Its Navy at War |date=1987 |publisher=Lancer International |location=New Delhi, India |isbn=9788170620136 |page=190 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TfMMAAAAIAAJ |language=en |access-date=18 July 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211429/https://books.google.com/books?id=TfMMAAAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|28}} After concluding a quick visit in the [[United States]] in 1972, [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto|President Bhutto]] used his administrative powers to [[dishonorably discharge]] the [[Commissioned officer|commission]] of five senior admirals in the Navy, appointing the junior most [[Hasan Hafeez Ahmed|H. H. Ahmed]] as the first [[Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Naval Staff]] of the Navy.<ref name="Lancer Publishers, Singh, 2008">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Ravi Shekhar Narain Singh |title=The Military Factor in Pakistan |date=2008 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |location=New Delhi, India |isbn=9780981537894 |page=455 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wCm2DFZblOYC&pg=PA61 |language=en |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(§Military and Politics)}} |access-date=31 January 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211429/https://books.google.com/books?id=wCm2DFZblOYC&pg=PA61 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|61}} In 1973, the [[NHQ (Pakistan Navy)|Navy NHQ]] was permanently moved to [[Islamabad]] to provide synergy with the [[GHQ (Pakistan Army)|Army GHQ]] in Rawalpindi.<ref name="Navy ISPR, History"/>{{rp|contents}}<ref name="Lancer Publishers LLC, Singh, 1980">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Maj Gen Sukhwant |title=India's Wars Since Independence |date=1980 |publisher=Lancer Publishers LLC |isbn=9781935501602 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4688VpqB8r8C&pg=RA1-PT701 |language=en |access-date=18 July 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211429/https://books.google.com/books?id=4688VpqB8r8C&pg=RA1-PT701 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:USS Epperson (DD-719) underway in 1970.jpg|thumb|right|290px|The ''Gearing''-class PNS ''Taimur'' (former {{USS|Epperson|DD-719|6}}) was acquired from the United States in 1977. She was sunk as a target during a naval exercise in 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Destroyer Photo Index DD-719 / DDE-719 USS EPPERSON |url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/719.htm |website=www.navsource.org |access-date=1 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722162651/http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/719.htm |archive-date=22 July 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>]]

In 1974, the [[Pakistan Naval Air Arm|Naval Aviation]] branch was established with the transfer of the [[Westland Sea King]] helicopters from the [[United Kingdom]] in 1975, followed by test firing the [[Anti-ship missile|surface-to-ship]] [[Exocet]] missile as a [[Flexible response|befitting response]] to the Indian Navy in 1979.<ref name="Navy ISPR, History">{{cite web |title=Pakistan Navy Chronology of Important Event from 1947 to June 2012 |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/chron_history.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |publisher=Navy ISPR |access-date=31 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926210001/https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/chron_history.html |archive-date=26 September 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> With the ability to fire the land-based Exocet missile from a reconnaissance aircraft, the Navy became the first of its kind in the [[South Asia]] to acquire land-based ballistics missile capable long range reconnaissance aircraft.<ref name="Navy">South Asia's Nuclear Security Dilemma: India, Pakistan, and China By Lowell Dittmer, pp 77</ref>{{rp|77}}

In 1976, the Navy moved towards successfully acquiring the military computers from the British firm, the [[Ferranti]], to increase its defence's for its coastlines.<ref name="Navy ISPR, History"/> The [[Hamoodur Rahman Commission|War Enquiry Commission]] noted the lack of strategic communication and the [[grand strategy]] between the four-branches of the military during the [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|conflict and wars with India]], recommending the establishment of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]] to maintain strategic military communication between the inter-services and the federal government, that is to be chaired by the appointed [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman joint chiefs]] as the government's principal military adviser.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|140}} In 1976, Navy saw its first [[Four star admiral|four-star]] rank admiral when [[Mohammad Shariff]] was promoted to this rank, and later becoming the first admiral to be appointed as the [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman]] of [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Joint Chiefs Committee]] in 1977.<ref name="The Army Press, Islamabad" /><ref>{{cite book |title=Ilmi Encyclopaedia of General Knowledge |date=1979 |publisher=Ilmi Kitab Khana |page=548 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TqAEAAAAYAAJ |language=en |access-date=18 July 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211430/https://books.google.com/books?id=TqAEAAAAYAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|372}} In 1977, the United States reportedly transferred the two [[refit]]ted {{sclass|Gearing|destroyer|1}} to the Pakistan Navy, which were much superior to the British frigates, followed by obtaining more destroyers from the U.S. Navy in 1982–83.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|142}}

During this time, the Navy to diversify its procurement with defence deals made with [[China]], [[France]], and the United Kingdom but the dependence grew on China when the Navy acquired the anti-submarine warships that gave the Navy credible sea-denial capability.<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011">{{cite book |last1=Waters |first1=Conrad |title=Seaforth World Naval Review 2012 |date=2011 |publisher=Seaforth Publishing |location=Barnsley, Yorkshire, UK |isbn=9781783466320 |page=200 |edition=1st |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lc87DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA73 |language=en-us |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(§The Pakistan Navy)}} |access-date=1 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205210906/https://books.google.com/books?id=Lc87DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA73 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1979, the France offered to sell their [[Agosta-class submarine|''Agosta-70A'']]-class submarine and was immediately acquired which were commissioned as {{ship|PNS|Hurmat||2}} and {{ship|PNS|Hashmat||2}}.<ref name="DefenceJournal, Ahmed">{{cite web|last1=Tasnim|first1=Vice-Admiral Ahmed|title=Remembering Our Warriors – Vice Admiral Tasneem|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/may/tasneem.htm |website=www.defencejournal.com|publisher=Vice Admiral A. Tasnim, Defence Journal|access-date=17 November 2016|language=en|date=May 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510114649/http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/may/tasneem.htm|archive-date=10 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Induction of the ''Agosta-70A'' class gave Pakistan Navy a [[Submarine depth ratings|depth advantage]] over the Indian Navy, and gave the Navy an ability to conduct operations in deeper [[Indian Ocean]] at wider range.<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011"/><ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" /><ref name="ABC Publishing House, Ravi, 1982">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yXXfAAAAMAAJ|title=The Fourth Round: Indo-Pak War 1984|last1=Rikhye|first1=Ravi|date=1985|publisher=ABC Publishing House|page=253|language=en|access-date=29 September 2018}}</ref>{{rp|143}}

In 1982, the [[Reagan administration]] submitted the proposal of [[United States Dollar|US$]]3.2 billion aid for Pakistan that was aimed towards economic uplift and security assistance to the [[United States Congress]] as the Navy entered in successful negotiation of obtaining the [[Harpoon (missile)|Harpoon]] system, despite the strong Indian lobby opposing and objecting of this deal.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|144}} In 1985, the Navy bought the [[Mirage V|Mirage 5V]] aircraft for the naval role and were equipped with the [[Exocet|Exocet A39]] missile that gives the capability of sea denial to the Pakistan Navy.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|144}} With the induction of the missile systems, long-range and depth endurance submarines, missiles destroyers, fighter aircraft, and establishment of the [[Pakistan Maritime Security Agency]], the Pakistan Navy eventually ended the Indian Navy's control over the Indian Ocean, and the Indian Navy's confidence that it could contain the Pakistan Navy at shorelines.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|145}}

Eventually, the Pakistan Navy began its wartime deployment in [[Middle Eastern countries]] through the [[Persian Gulf]] and deployed its war assets in Saudi Arabia in support of the U.S. Navy's fleet in wake of the events involving the [[Iran–Iraq War]] and [[Gulf of Sidra incident (1981)|tensions with Libya]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|145}} In 1982, the Reagan administration approved [[United States Dollar|US$]]3.2 billion military and economic aid to Pakistan with Pakistan acquiring eight {{sclass|Brooke|frigate|5}} and {{sclass|Garcia|frigate|0}} frigates from the United States Navy on a five-year lease in 1988.<ref name="The Army Press, Islamabad" /> A [[military base|depot]] for repairs, {{USS|Hector|AR-7|6}} followed the lease of these ships in April 1989. This was done due to the [[Zia regime|Zia administration]]'s [[Operation Cyclone|co-operation]] with the [[Reagan administration]] against the Soviet Union's [[Soviet–Afghan War|invasion]] in Afghanistan.<ref name="The Army Press, Islamabad" />

===Self reliance, engagement and covert operations (1990–1999)===
{{Main|Karachi Affair|Atlantique Incident|Indo-Pakistani War of 1999|Revolt of the Admiral}}
[[File:Former Brooke and O'Callahan transferred to Pakistan.jpg|thumb|right|290px|The {{sclass|Garcia|frigate|0}} and {{sclass|Brooke|frigate|0}} [[guided missile destroyer]] (FFG) being transferred to Pakistan Navy in 1986. All were returned to United States in 1993–95 when the renewing of lease with an option of purchase was denied by the United States.<ref name="PN Book Club Publication, Shah, 2001">{{cite book|last1=Shah|first1=Mian Zahir|title=Bubbles of Water: Or, Anecdotes of the Pakistan Navy|date=2001|publisher=PN Book Club Publication|location=Karachi, Pakistan|isbn=9789698318031|page=487|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=goDfAAAAMAAJ|language=en}}</ref>{{rp|476}}]]

After the Russian [[Soviet troop withdrawal from Afghanistan|troops withdrawal]] from [[Communist Afghanistan|Afghanistan]] in 1989, the [[Presidency of George H. W. Bush|Bush administration]] imposed the [[Pressler amendment|arms embargo]] on Pakistan by uncovering the existence of the covert [[Pakistan and its Nuclear Deterrent Program|atomic bomb program]] to the United States Congress, which ultimately refrained the transfer of the maritime patrol aircraft, missile systems, and defence software on 1 October 1990.<ref name="The Army Press, Islamabad" /> With the expiration of the lease of the {{sclass|Garcia|frigate|5}} and {{sclass|Brooke|frigate|0}} guided missile frigates, the Navy had to return the frigates to the United States that were sold to India for scrapped metals, and Navy to faced the problems for adequate funding towards the modern Navy.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|185}} The embargo seriously impaired the Navy's operational scope and paralysed its ability to operate in the [[Indian Ocean]], since the Navy's [[:Category:Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Pakistan Navy|fleet was composed of entirely the former U.S.-built warships]].<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|185}}

Since 1987, the Pakistan Navy had been interested in acquiring the [[Type 21 frigate|Type 21]] frigates from the [[United Kingdom]], and the Navy turned to the [[Royal Navy]] for an immediate purchase which was approved in 1993 whose expensive refitting and technological upgrades had to carried out by Pakistan itself at their [[Karachi Naval Dockyard|Naval Base]] in Karachi over the years.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|185}} In 1994, the Pakistan Navy entered in [[Karachi Affair|lengthy, complicated, and controversial negotiation]] with France to acquire the long-range submarine technology by dismissing the idea of procuring [[Nuclear submarine|nuclear-powered submarine]] from China due to noise issue that the Indian Navy was quiet able to track.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|183–185}}<ref name="NTI 1990">{{cite web|last=NTI|title=Nuclear Submarine for Navy|url=http://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/pakistan_nuclear.pdf?_=1316466791|website=6 October 1990|publisher=NTI 1990|access-date=7 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930175130/http://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/pakistan_nuclear.pdf?_=1316466791|archive-date=30 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite embargo, the United States Navy maintained its relations with Pakistan Navy, inviting the Pakistanis to participate in the ''Inspired Siren'' in 1994, and gave the Pakistan Navy instructions and run down on the nuclear submarine and aircraft carrier operations.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|185}} In an attempt to warm the political relations with the United States, the Pakistani military joined the [[United Nations Operation in Somalia II|U.S. actions]] in the [[Somali Civil War]], conducting [[Operation United Shield|wartime patrol]] in the Somali coast.<ref>Bush, George H., Address to the Nation on the Situation in Somalia, 4/12/92</ref><ref name="Navy ISPR, History" />
[[File:Pakistan Navy Orion Asuspine.jpg|thumb|300px|left|The Navy's [[Lockheed P-3C Orion|P3C Orion]] taking a flight in 2010. One of its sister aircraft was involved in serious crash during its routine mission in 1999, claiming valuable lives.]]In 1994, the Navy was [[Operation Restore Hope|deployed in support of the U.S. Navy]] and extended its support in 1995 to participate in [[Operation United Shield]] to conclude its side of operation after evacuating personnel and equipment of the [[Pakistan Army|army]], [[Pakistan Marines|marines]], and air force.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bashir, PN|first1=Adm. Noman|author-link1=Noman Bashir|title=The Pakistan Navy's Role in Peacetime Diplomacy: Emerging Scenario in the Indian Ocean|journal=Pakistan Horizon|date=July 2010|volume=63|issue=3|pages=1–7|jstor=24711004|language=en|issn=0030-980X}}</ref> By 1996, the Brown amendment was introduced that allowed the uplifting of the embargo on Pakistan, allowing the transfer of the maritime patrol aircraft to the Navy.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|185}}

By 1997, the [[Karachi Affair|controversy over the technology transfer]] from France had tarnished the public image of the Navy with the arrest of [[Mansurul Haq|naval chief]] when several [[Corruption charges against Benazir Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari|cases were levelled on political and military leadership]] of the Navy.<ref name="NTI 1990" /> Despite India's strong objections in France, the [[air-independent propulsion]] was transferred to Pakistan which built the {{sclass|Agosta 90B|submarine|1}}, capable to operating in Indian Ocean and at higher submarine depth.<ref name="NTI 1990" /> In 1999, the Navy saw the [[Revolt of the Admiral|public disagreement]] with the [[Government of Pakistan|federal government]] over the issue of [[Kargil war|Pakistan Army's engagement with Indian Army]] in Kashmir and over the rightful appointment of the Admiral [[Fasih Bokhari]] as [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman joint chiefs]].<ref name="Repro India Ltd.">{{cite book|last=Anjali|first=Gosh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y32u4JMroQgC&pg=PA66|title=India's Foreign Policy The Pakistan Threat|publisher=Repro India Ltd.|year=2009|isbn=978-81-317-1025-8|location=New Delhi|pages=176–180|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211430/https://books.google.com/books?id=Y32u4JMroQgC&pg=PA66|url-status=live}}</ref> Pakistan Navy was forced to deploy its existing war assets when the Indian Navy deployed its warships near [[Korangi Creek Cantonment]] and [[Port of Karachi]] with their codename: ''Operation Talwar''.<ref name="Lieutenant-General F.S. Lodhi, PA," />

On 10 August 1999, a serious incident took place in [[Sir Creek|Sir Creek region]] when the Indian Air Force shot down the [[Pakistan Naval Air Arm|Naval Aviation]] aircraft that resulted in deaths of 16 naval personnel, mostly officers.<ref name="AuthorHouse, Baig">{{cite book|last1=Anwar|first1=Muhammad|last2=Baig|first2=Ebad|title=Pakistan: Time for Change|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=9781477250303|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mb6OOYcrIOYC&pg=PA35|language=en|date=December 2012|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212430/https://books.google.com/books?id=mb6OOYcrIOYC&pg=PA35|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|62}} On 29 August 1999, another aircraft of the Navy, [[P3C Orion]], was lost due to an accident with the loss of twenty one lives.<ref>{{cite book |last1=III |first1=A. D. Baker |title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World |date=2002 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=9781557502421 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ow-AQAAIAAJ |language=en |access-date=18 July 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212432/https://books.google.com/books?id=_ow-AQAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|537}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/p3/index.html|title=P-3 Orion|access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103123212/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/p3/index.html|archive-date=3 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/493254.stm | work=BBC News | title=Pakistan naval aircraft crashes | date=29 October 1999 | access-date=8 October 2010 | archive-date=5 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212436/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/493254.stm | url-status=live }}</ref>

Over the issue of the Indian Air Force's shot down of the aircraft, the Navy filed a lawsuit against the Indian Air Force at the [[International Court of Justice]], but the claim was later dismissed due to over-reaching of the court's mandate.<ref name="AuthorHouse, Baig"/>{{rp|62–63}}<ref name="The Independent">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/16-dead-as-india-shoots-down-pakistani-naval-plane-1112052.html|title=16 dead as India shoots down Pakistani naval plane|website=The Independent|access-date=24 December 2014|date=10 August 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118050838/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/16-dead-as-india-shoots-down-pakistani-naval-plane-1112052.html|archive-date=18 November 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=Pakistan fully endorse the requirements of a strong navy, capable of safeguarding Pakistan's sea frontiers and her Lines of Communication, monitoring and protecting her exclusive economic zone. Continuous efforts are at hand to provide the best available equipment to the Navy despite all economic constraints.|sign=[[Pervez Musharraf]], 1999<ref name="Lieutenant-General F.S. Lodhi, PA," />}}

After his incident in 1999, another proposal was raised to switched the [[air-independent propulsion]] of Agosta submarine to substitute with [[nuclear propulsion]], however the proposal was dismissed.<ref name="Lieutenant-General F.S. Lodhi, PA,">{{cite web|last=Lodhi|first=F.S.|title=An Agosta Submarine for Pakistan|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/jan/agosta.htm|website=Lieutenant-General F.S. Lodhi|publisher=Lieutenant-General F.S. Lodhi, PA|access-date=7 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193455/http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/jan/agosta.htm|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

====War on Terror in Afghanistan and operations in North-West (2001–present)====
{{Main|PNS Mehran Operation|Operation Rah-e-Nijat|PNS Mehran Operation|Operation Black Thunderstorm|Operation Umeed-e-Nuh|Blockade of Yemen}}

[[File:Pakistan Navy Ship Shahjahan & Tippi Sultan.jpeg|right|thumb|210px|{{ship|PNS|Shah Jahan|D-186|6}} and {{ship|PNS|Tippu Sultan|D-185|6}}, the {{sclass|Tariq|destroyer|0}} [[guided missile destroyer]]s, participating in ''Exercise Inspired Siren'' in the [[Indian Ocean]] in 2002.]]

After the [[September 11 attacks|9/11 terrorist attacks]] in the [[United States]], the sanctions on Pakistan were eventually uplifted, allowing the Navy to procure the U.S.-built weapon systems and warships to regain its ability to operate in the Indian Ocean as it became involved in war preparations during the [[2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff|standoff]] with India in 2001–02.<ref name="Lieutenant-General F.S. Lodhi, PA,"/> In 2001, the Navy took serious consideration of deploying the [[nuclear weapon]]s on its submarines although none of the nuclear weapons were ever deployed in the submarines.<ref name="NTI 1990"/>

In 2003–04, there were several proposals made for acquiring the vintage [[aircraft carrier]]s but the Navy itself had dismissed the idea since the country has not aspired to have an aircraft capability.<ref name="Routledge Dittmer">{{cite book|last1=Dittmer|first1=Lowell|title=South Asia's Nuclear Security Dilemma: India, Pakistan, and China|date=2003|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781317459569|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=02XxBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA79|language=en|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212433/https://books.google.com/books?id=02XxBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA79|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|79}} In 2002–03, the Pakistan Navy deployment took place in the Indian Ocean, participating in the naval drills to combat terrorism from seaborne platforms, and eventually entered in defence negotiations with China for acquiring the technology to designing and building the guided missile frigates— the [[F-22P Zulfiquar-class frigate|F-22P]] guided missile frigates were eventually built it in 2006–15.<ref name="Navy ISPR, History" />

[[File:Pakistan Navy Special Service Group member silhouetted aboard Pakistan Navy Ship PNS Babur.jpg|thumb|left|An operative of the [[Special Service Group Navy|Navy Special Service Group]] (SSGN) is silhouetted by the setting sun abroad PNS ''Babur'' while under way in the Indian Ocean in 2007.]]

Since 2004, the Navy's deployment took place in Indian Ocean, playing a crucial role in the multinational [[United States Naval Forces Central Command|NAVCENT]] in [[Bahrain]], and took the leadership of the [[Combined Task Force 150|CTF-150]] and [[Combined Task Force 151|CTF-151]] as well as taking active participation in the [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] in 2006–10.<ref>{{cite web|last=PN |title=Pakistan Navy and Operation OEF |url=http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/cmcp1.html |publisher=PN Second |access-date=11 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070726120430/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/cmcp1.html |archive-date=26 July 2007  }}</ref><ref>[http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2008/019.html Pakistan Navy Hands Command of CTF 150 to France]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003183518/http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/articles/2008/019.html |date=3 October 2008 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/cmcp1.html Pakistan Navy Participation In Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070726120430/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/cmcp1.html |date=26 July 2007 }}</ref> In 2008, the task force group consisting of {{ship|PNS|Badr|D-184|6}}, {{ship|PNS|Shah Jahan|D-186|6}}, {{ship|PNS|Nasr}}, and the Pakistan Air Force's Explosive Ordnance Disposal participated in the ''Exercise Inspired Union'' with the U.S. Navy in the Indian Ocean to develop skills in a prevention of seaborne terrorism.<ref>{{cite web | author= Lt. (j.g.) Bryan Boggs, USN | title= USS ''Curts'', Pakistani Navy Participate in Officer Exchange Program | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37552 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20120805150923/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37552 | url-status= dead | archive-date= 5 August 2012 | website= NNS080602-12 | publisher= Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs | date= 6 June 2008 | access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref>

Its deployment in the [[War on terror]] also included their actions in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]] when the Navy's special forces were deployed to take participation in the Operations: [[Operation Black Thunderstorm|''Black Thunderstorm'']], [[Operation Rah-e-Nijat|''Rah-i-Nijat'']], [[PNS Mehran Operation|''Mehran'']], and the [[Operation Madad (Pakistan Navy)|''Help'']].<ref name="Navy ISPR, History" />

Despite its [[Maritime Interdiction Operations|seaborne mission]], the Navy had played an active role in controlling the insurgency in [[War in North-West Pakistan|former tribal belt]] in [[War in North-West Pakistan|Western Pakistan]], mostly taking roles in managing [[Military logistics|logistics]] and [[intelligence gathering]] as well as conducting ground operations with the army in Western areas to track down the [[al-Qaeda|al-Qaeda operatives]].<ref name="The New York Times">{{cite web|last=Mackey|first=Robert|title=Before Attack, Pakistan's Navy Boasted of Role in Fight Against Taliban|url=http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/before-attack-pakistans-navy-boasted-of-role-in-fight-against-taliban/|website=NYTimes – The Lede (blog)|publisher=The New York Times|access-date=10 April 2012|date=23 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617162912/http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/23/before-attack-pakistans-navy-boasted-of-role-in-fight-against-taliban/|archive-date=17 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> From 2010 to 2011, the Navy was in a brief direct conflict with the violent [[Pakistani Taliban|TTP group]] and [[al-Qaeda]], and its Naval Intelligence was able to track down the infiltrated militants within the ranks of the Navy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=14800|title=Blast hits Pakistan Navy bus, third in a week|work=[[The News International]]|publisher=[[Jang Group of Newspapers]]|access-date=19 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309162305/http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=14800|archive-date=9 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=6183&Cat=13&dt=5/23/2011|title=A joint attack by al-Qaeda, TTP|work=[[The News International]]|publisher=[[Jang Group of Newspapers]]|access-date=22 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526172122/http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=6183&Cat=13&dt=5%2F23%2F2011|archive-date=26 May 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, the Navy was deployed in support of the [[Saudi-led blockade of Yemen]] after accepting the request from the [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan agrees to send ships to block arms shipments to Yemen rebels |url=https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/article24783202.html |website=mcclatchydc |access-date=1 February 2019 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116113322/https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/world/article24783202.html |archive-date=16 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of current, the Navy continues increase its operational scope in the Indian Ocean and reportedly successfully entering in defence talks with Turkey to jointly built the [[MILGEM project]] in Pakistan in 2018–2019 while it had earlier announced to start the building the program of the [[nuclear submarine]] for its current operational capabilities in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Star Desk|title=Pakistan Navy to build nuclear submarine|url=http://www.arynews.tv/english/newsdetail.asp?nid=54527|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418182536/http://www.arynews.tv/english/newsdetail.asp?nid=54527|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2013|access-date=6 April 2012|newspaper=ARY News|date=10 February 2012<!-- 10:40:34&nbsp;pm-->}}</ref>

==Organization, Naval Headquarters==
===Principal Staff Commands and Principal Staff Officers===
{{Main|List of serving admirals of the Pakistan Navy|Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)}}
[[File:US Navy 090820-N-8273J-056 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead, middle, inspects Pakistan Navy sailors during a welcoming ceremony at Pakistan Naval Headquarters.jpg|thumb|right|290px|{{small|American [[Chief of Naval Operations]], Adm. [[Gary Roughead]], inspecting Pakistan Navy sailors at the [[NHQ (Pakistan Navy)|Naval HQ]] in Islamabad in 2009.}}]]

Leadership in the Navy is provided by the [[Defence Minister of Pakistan|Minister of Defense]], leading and controlling the direction of the department of navy from the Naval Secretariat-II at the [[Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)|Ministry of Defense]], with the [[Defence Secretary of Pakistan|Defense Secretary]] who is responsible for the bureaucratic affairs of the army's department.<ref>{{cite web|title=Leadership and Command of Pakistan Navy|url=http://www.mod.gov.pk/mod/userfiles1/file/Organization%20of%20Defence%20Division.pdf|access-date=16 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404092109/http://www.mod.gov.pk/mod/userfiles1/file/Organization%20of%20Defence%20Division.pdf|archive-date=4 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Constitution of Pakistan|Constitution]] sets the role of the elected [[President of Pakistan]] as the civilian [[Commander in Chief|Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[Pakistan Armed Forces]] while the [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]] served as the [[Chief Executive]] of the Pakistan Armed Forces, both the people-elected civilians, the President and Prime minister, maintains a [[civilian control of the military]].<ref>The [http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html Article 243(2)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205071402/http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html |date=5 February 2012 }} in [http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part12.ch2.html Chapter 2: The Armed Forces in Part XII: Miscellaneous]   of the [[Constitution of Pakistan]]</ref>

The [[Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Naval Staff]] (CNS), an appointed four-star rank admiral, is a principal military adviser on the [[Naval warfare|naval]]/[[maritime security]] affairs to the [[Government of Pakistan|Federal government]] and is a senior member of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]] (JCSC)— a military body that advises and briefs the elected civilian [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]] and its [[Cabinet of Pakistan|executive cabinet]] on national security affairs and operational military matters under the [[Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee|Chairman]] of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan">{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Hameed |title=Command and Structure of Pakistan Navy |url=http://pakdef.org/command-structure-2/ |website=www.pakdef.org |publisher=PakDef Military Consortium |access-date=16 January 2019 |language=en |date=1 June 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926205721/http://pakdef.org/command-structure-2/ |archive-date=26 September 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

The war functions of the Navy is controlled from the single combat headquarters, the [[Naval Headquarters (Pakistan)|Navy NHQ]], located in [[Islamabad]] at vicinity of the [[JS HQ (Pakistan)|Joint Staff Headquarters]] and the [[GHQ (Pakistan Army)|Army GHQ]] in [[Rawalpindi Cantonment]] in [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] in [[Pakistan]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/> The Chief of Naval Staff controls and commands the Navy at all levels of operational command, and is assisted by number of [[Staff officer|Principal Staff Officers]] (PSOs) (Staff Commanders) who are commissioned at the three-star rank and two-star rank admirals. The Staff Appointments marked in the light goldish yellow color are the most important seats at NHQ which play a very important administrative role for the proper functioning of the Pakistan Navy and its assets.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>

[[File:US Navy 090820-N-8273J-078 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead meets senior leadership of the Pakistan Navy at the conclusion of a welcoming ceremony to Pakistan Naval Headquarters.jpg|thumb|right|290px|The senior military leadership of the Navy meeting with the U.S. [[Chief of Naval Operations]] Adm. [[Gary Roughead]] at the [[NHQ (Pakistan Navy)|Navy NHQ]] in Islamabad.]]

Due to the influence from the [[Royal Navy]] and later by the [[United States Navy]] since its earliest inception, the Pakistan Navy has a unique command structure and the navy's functionality is divided in various branches.<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011" />

There are seven military staff commands in the navy that are in fact administrative, directed by the several appointed [[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff]] (DCNS) and often assisted by the [[Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff]] (ACNS) holding the rank of commodore a one-star rank senior officer reporting directly to their respective [[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff]] (DCNS).<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011" />{{rp|73}} The Deputy Chiefs Of Naval Staff are usually holding either the [[Two-star admiral|two-star]] or [[Three-star rank|three-star]] ranks.<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011" />{{rp|73}}The each and appointed Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff head or commander of their respected branch reports directly to the [[Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of the Naval Staff]] (CNS) at [[NHQ (Pakistan Navy)|Navy NHQ]] in Islamabad of their respected command.

The military administration of the Navy under the [[Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Naval Chief]] based in the [[NHQ (Pakistan Navy)|Navy NHQ]] includes its Principal Staff Commands and Principal Staff Officers:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:khaki;"|Principal Staff Commands at NHQ
! style="background:khaki;"|Call sign
! style="background:khaki;"|Principal Staff Officers 
! style="|Notes
|-
|style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Vice Chief of the Naval Staff]] ||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|''' VCNS'''||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Vice Admiral (Pakistan)|Vice Admiral]] Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami HI(M), Ops ||The Second in Command of The Pakistan Navy.
|-
|style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations)]] ||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|'''DCNS-O'''||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Vice Admiral (Pakistan)|Vice Admiral]] [[Raja Rab Nawaz]], HI(M), Ops   ||Head of Operations Branch and Organization in the Pakistan Navy.
|-
|style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Materials)]] ||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|'''DCNS-M'''||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Vice Admiral (Pakistan)|Vice Admiral]] Abid Hameed, HI(M), Engg ||Head of Materials Branch and Organization in the Pakistan Navy. 
|-
|style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Supply)]] ||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|'''DCNS-S'''||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Syed Ahmed Salman, HI(M), Supp||Head of Supplies Branch and Organization in the Pakistan Navy.
|-
|style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Projects)]] ||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|'''DCNS-P'''||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Shafquat Hussain Akhtar SI(M),Ops ||Head of Projects Branch and Organization in the Pakistan Navy.
|-
|style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Trainning and Personnel)]] ||style="background:#FFFFE0 ;|'''DCNS-T&P'''||style="background:#FFFFE0 ;|[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Muhammad Saleem HI(M),Ops ||Head of Training and Personnel Branch and Organization in the Pakistan Navy.
|-
|style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Administration)]] ||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|'''DCNS-A'''||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;| [[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Syed Ahmed Salman, HI(M), Supp||Head of Administrations Branch and Organization in the Pakistan Navy.
|-
|style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Welfare and Housing)]] ||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|'''DCNS-W&H'''||style="background:#FFFFE0  ;|[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Shifaat Ali Khan, HI(M), Ops ||Head of Welfares and Housings Branch and Organization in the Pakistan Navy.
|}

===Organizations and Heads of Services, Pakistan Navy===
The Organizations and the Heads of Services operating in the Pakistan Navy and reporting directly to the [[Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)|Naval Chief]] are as follows:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:#ccc;"|Organizations
! style="background:#ccc;"|Call sign
! style="background:#ccc;"|Heads of Services
|-
|Director General, Naval Research and Development Institute ||'''DG NRDI'''||[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Hussain Sial, HI(M), Engg
|- 
|Director General, Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence ||'''DG C4I'''||
[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Jawad Ahmed, HI(M), Ops
|-
|Naval Secretariat, [[Naval Secretary]] ||'''NS'''||[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] [[Imtiaz Ali (rear admiral)|Imtiaz Ali]], HI(M) TBT & Bar, Ops
|-
|[[Naval Intelligence (Pakistan)|Director General, Naval Intelligence]] ||'''DG NI'''||[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Shahzad Hamid, SI(M) TBT, Ops
|-
|Director General, Public Relations ||'''DG PR'''||[[Commodore (Pakistan)|Commodore]] Ahmed Hussain, SI(M), Ops
|}

===Naval components and branches===
Each branch in the navy offers specialisation and officers interested in joining the particular service have to pass aptitude tests before attending the specialised school that usually last for two to three years, in which the officer is able to attain a college degree.<ref name="Command & Structure « PakDef Military Consortium">{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Hassan |title=Command and Structure of the Navy |url=http://pakdef.org/command-structure-2/ |website=www.pakdef.org |publisher=Command & Structure « PakDef Military Consortium |access-date=1 February 2019 |date=1 June 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926205721/http://pakdef.org/command-structure-2/ |archive-date=26 September 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="Branches and Professions in the Navy">{{cite web |title=Branches and Professions in the Navy |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/professional_officer.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=1 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119002337/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/professional_officer.html |archive-date=19 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Military administration in the Navy<ref>[https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/professional_officer.html Professional Branch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119002337/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/professional_officer.html |date=19 November 2016 }} of Pakistan Navy. For other [https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/proud_sailor.html Enlisted Branch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126010218/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/proud_sailor.html |date=26 November 2016 }}.</ref>
|-
! administrative branches in the Navy  !!  call sign !! specialization and qualification badges !! style="background:navy; color:white;"| !! administrative branches in the Navy  !! call sign!! specialization and qualification badges !! style="background:navy; color:white;"|
|-
| Naval Operations  || Ops || [[Surface warfare insignia|Surface warfare]]<br />[[Underwater warfare]]<br />[[Electronic Warfare]]<br />[[Communication]]<br />[[Naval Navigation Observer Badge|Navigation]]<br />[[NBCD]] || style="background:navy; color:white;"| || Naval Supplies || S ||Supply Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"|
|-
| Logistics || Log ||Logistics Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"| || Mechanical || Mech ||Ship Mechanical Engineering Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"|
|-
| [[Judge Advocate General Branch (Pakistan)|Judge Advocate General Corps]] || JAG ||JAG Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"|  ||Education || Ed ||Education Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"|
|-
| Weapons Engineering Branch || WEB ||WEB Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"| ||Marine Engineering Branch || MEB ||  || style="background:navy; color:white;"|
|-
| [[Pakistan Naval Air Arm|Aviation]] || AVN  ||Naval aviator badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"| || Music || MUS ||Music Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"|
|-
| Medical  || MED || Medical Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"| || Naval Police || NP ||Naval Police Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"|
|-
| [[Naval Intelligence (Pakistan)|Naval Intelligence]] || NI ||Navy Intelligence Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"| ||[[Pakistan Marines|Marines Corps]] || MC ||Marines Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"|
|-
| [[Special Service Group (Navy)|Navy SEALs]] || SSGN ||SSGN Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"| ||Maritime Security Agency || MSA ||MSA Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"|
|-
| Special Branch || SB ||[[Information Technology|IT]] Badge || style="background:navy; color:white;"| || Chaplain (''Khatib'') Service || CS || || style="background:navy; color:white;"|
|}

=== Naval commands in field and commanders ===
Since its restructuring and reorganisation over the several years, the Pakistan Navy now operates eight operational and tactical field commands and also two major type commands, two of the important commands of aviation and submarines are reporting directly to the senior Pakistan Fleet Command.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan" /> Each command is headed by a senior flag officer who usually holds a ranks of [[three-star rank]]: [[Vice-Admiral]] and [[two-star rank]]: [[Rear-Admiral]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan" /> The appointment to the senior [[fleet commander]] known as [[Commander, Pakistan Fleet]] leads the navy's entire fleet with a responsibility of deploying the entire combat formations of the navy.<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011" />{{rp|73}}

Geographically, there are three administrative commanders, such as Commander Karachi (COMKAR), [[Commander Central Punjab]] (COMCEP), and Commander Northern (COMNOR), who administer the bulk of naval installations, offshore establishments, and training facilities besides the seven oceanic based commands.<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011"/>{{rp|73}}

In 2012, the Pakistan Navy established the [[Naval Strategic Forces Command (Pakistan)|Naval Strategic Forces Command]] that has area responsibility of exercising the deployment of sea-borne [[nuclear weapon]]s and is described by the military as the "custodian of the nation's nuclear [[second strike capability]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Paks-navy-inaugurates-new-Strategic-Force-headquarters/articleshow/13310617.cms|title=  Pak's navy inaugurates new Strategic Force headquarters|date=  9 August 2012|access-date=  3 July 2013|archive-url=  https://web.archive.org/web/20130501180220/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-20/pakistan/31788040_1_pakistan-navy-inaugurates-nuclear-arsenal|archive-date=  1 May 2013|url-status=  live|work= [[The Times of India]]|df=  dmy-all}}</ref>

The peacetime commands and the Commands in the Navy allocated are given below.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Operational Commands in the Pakistan Navy<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/admin_Authorities.html |title=Administrative Commands |access-date=2 February 2019 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602035428/https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/admin_Authorities.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011" />
|-
! style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px; background: #efefef;" | Headquarters
! colspan="4" style="border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px; background: #AFDBF5;" | [[File:Naval Jack of Pakistan.svg|20px]] [[NHQ (Pakistan Navy)|Navy NHQ]], [[Islamabad]] in [[Pakistan]]
|-
! Operational, Tactical and Type Commands!! Call sign !! Commander!! Subordinate combat squadrons and arms !! Notes
|-
| {{small|[[Commander, Pakistan Fleet]]}}|| {{small|'''COMPAK'''}}||[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Abdul Munib, SI(M), Ops|| | {{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title =Subordinate squadrons
| 1 = {{small|25th Destroyer Squadron}}
| 2 = {{small|18th Destroyer Squadron}}
| 3 = {{small|9th [[Auxiliary ship|Auxiliary]] Squadron}}
| 4 = {{small|21st Auxiliary Squadron}}
| 5 = {{small|10th Patrol Squadron}}
| 6 = {{small|Fast Patrol Squadron}}
| 7 = {{small|Commander Naval Aviation- COMNAV}}
| 8 = {{small|Commander Submarines- COMSUBS}}
}}
|{{small|The war-fighting command responsible for operational deployments of the Surface, Submarine, and Aviation Commands to ensure the [[Operations readiness and assurance|operational readiness and assurances]] of the Navy.}}
|-
| {{small|[[Commander Karachi]]}} ||{{small|'''COMKAR'''}} || [[Vice Admiral (Pakistan)|Vice Admiral]] [[Muhammad Faisal Abbasi]], HI(M), Ops ||
{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title =Subordinate offshore establishments
| 1 ={{small|PNS Bahadur– Submarine school}}
| 2 ={{small|[[PNS Himalaya]]– Boot camp}}
| 3 ={{small|[[PNS Karsaz]]}}
| 4 ={{small|[[PNS Rahat Hospital|PNS Rahat]]}}
| 5 ={{small|[[Pakistan Naval Academy]]}}
| 6 ={{small|PNS Rahnuma – [[Human resources|HR]] Department}}
| 7 ={{small|[[PNS Shifa]]}}
| 8 ={{small|[[Pakistan Navy School of Logistics and Management|School of Logistics and Management]]}}
| 9 ={{small|PNS Nigraan – Naval Police HQ}}
| 10 =
}}
|| {{small|Directs the offshore establishments, training schools, military protocol, and ensuring coastal defence of Karachi coast. }}
|-
|{{small|[[Coastal Command (Pakistan)|Commander, Coast]]}} ||{{small|'''COMCOAST'''}} ||[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Faisal Amin, SI(M), Ops||
{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title =Subordinate branches
| 1 =
| 2 ={{small|[[Chief of Staff|COS]] [[Pakistan Marines Corps|Marines Corps]]}}
| 3 ={{small|[[Pakistan Naval Observatory|Naval Observatory]]}}
| 4 ={{small|[[PNS Iqbal]]}}
| 5 ={{small|[[PNS Qasim]]}}
| 6 ={{small|[[Sir Creek|Marines Base Sir Creek]]}}
| 7 ={{small|[[Manora Fort, Karachi|Manora Base]]}}
| 8 ={{small|Pakistan Naval Air Defense}}

}}
||{{small|Directs the coastal command by ensuring the coastal defences of Pakistan from Iranian border in West to Indian borders in East.}}
|-
|| {{small|[[Naval Strategic Forces Command (Pakistan)|Commander, Naval Strategic Forces Command]]}} ||{{small|'''CDR NSFC'''}}|| [[Vice Admiral (Pakistan)|Vice Admiral]] Abdul Samad, HI(M), Ops ||
{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = Subordinate commands
| 1 ={{small|[[Special Service Group (Navy)|Navy Special Service Group]]}}
| 2 ={{small|Deployment of seaborne-nuclear weapons}}
| 3 =
| 4 =
| 5 =
| 6 =
| 7 =
}}
||{{small|This command was identified by the military as Custodian of nuclear second strike capability}}
|-
|{{small|Commander, Logistics ([[Logistics Command]]}})|| {{small|'''COMLOG'''}} ||[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Muhammad Sohail Arshad, HI(M), Engg||
{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = Subordinate commands
| 1 ={{small|[[Karachi Naval Dockyard|Naval Dockyard]]}}
| 2 ={{small|Weapons Depot}}
| 3 ={{small|PNS Dilawar– Logistics Base}}
| 4 ={{small|Commander Depot– COMDEP}}

| 5 =
| 6 =
| 7 =
| 8 =
| 9 =
| 10 =
}}
||{{small|Directs the logistics command to oversee the maintenance, military logistics and material readiness for construction warships at the shipyard.}}
|-
| {{small|[[Flag Officer Sea Training (Pakistan)|Flag Officer, Sea Training]]}}||{{small|'''FOST'''}} ||[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Khyber Zaman, HI(M), Ops    || || {{small|This Command oversees the training deployment of the Pakistan Navy Fleet}}
|-
|{{small|[[Commander Central Punjab|Commander, Central Punjab]]}} ||{{small|'''COMCEP'''}} ||[[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] [[Azhar Mahmood (rear admiral)|Azhar Mahmood]], SI(M), Ops|| ||{{small|Oversees the deployments of Marine detachment and operations of the War College in Punjab}}
|-
||{{small|[[Pakistan Navy Western Command|Commander, West]]}}  ||{{small|'''COMWEST'''}} || [[Rear Admiral (Pakistan)|Rear Admiral]] Adnan Majeed, SI(M), Ops || ||{{small|Directs the Navy's combat units in the Western Pakistan.}}
{{Collapsible list
| bullets = true
| titlestyle=font-weight:normal;background:transparent;text-align:left;
| title = Subordinate commands
| 1 ={{small|[[Pakistan Naval War College]]– Lahore}}
| 2 ={{small|PNS Punjab}}
| 3 =
}}
|-
|{{small|[[Pakistan Navy Northern Command|Commander, North]]}}  ||{{small|'''COMNOR'''}} || [[Commodore (Pakistan)|Commodore]] Saqib Ilyas SI(M), Ops - || ||{{small|Directs the Navy's combat units in Northern Pakistan and reports to Principal Staff Commands at NHQ.}}
|-
|{{small|Commander, Depot}} ||{{small|'''COMDEP'''}} || [[Commodore (Pakistan)|Commodore]] Fareed Amin SI(M), Supp       || ||{{small|Directs the Naval Depots Command to oversee all the naval supplies and materials being stored and distributed in the Pakistan Navy and reporting directly to COMLOG}}
|-
|{{small|[[Pakistan Naval Air Arm|Commander, Naval Aviation]]}} ||{{small|'''COMNAV'''}} || [[Commodore (Pakistan)|Commodore]]  Syed Talat Hussain, SI(M), Ops || ||{{small|Directs the Naval Aviation Command but reporting directly to COMPAK}}
|-
| {{small|[[Pakistan Navy Submarine Force|Commander, Submarines]]}}||{{small|'''COMSUBS'''}}|| [[Commodore (Pakistan)|Commodore]] Mazhar Bashir, SI(M), Ops || || {{small|Directs the Submarine Command but reporting directly to COMPAK}}
|-
|{{small|Director of Procurement, Navy}} ||{{small|'''DP NAVY'''}} || [[Commodore (Pakistan)|Commodore]] Muhammad Shahnawaz Khan, SI(M), Supp - || || {{small|This Command deals in the purchasing of certain military equipments and supplies for the navy and reports to DCNS-S}}
|}

===Special operations forces===
{{Main|Special Service Group Navy|Pakistan Marines#Marines bases, camps, and battalions|l2=1st Marines Battalion (Pakistan)|Naval Strategic Forces Command (Pakistan)}}
[[File:US Navy 110613-N-OT964-118 Chief Navy Diver Aaron Knight, right, assigned to Commander, Task Group (CTG) 56.1, and Pakistani divers.jpg|thumb|left|290px|The [[Special Service Group (Navy)|Navy SSG]] conducting the force-protection and underwater special forces training with their [[United States Navy]] counterparts, the [[U.S. Navy SEALs]] in 2011.]]

The [[Special Service Group Navy]] (SSG(N)), colloquially known as the '''SSGN'''<ref>{{cite web |title=SEALs Team |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/iqbal.html |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826224108/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/iqbal.html |archive-date=26 August 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> is an elite unit that conducts [[unconventional warfare]], [[Scuba diving|combat diving]], [[Maritime interdiction|naval interdiction]], and [[Asymmetric warfare|asymmetric warfare operations]], established under the guidance of the [[United States Navy]]'s [[United States Navy SEALs|SEALs]] in 1966.<ref name="Navy Special Service Group">{{cite web |title=Navy Special Service Group |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/marine_history.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129164327/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/marine_history.html |archive-date=29 November 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:US Navy 091012-N-8132M-245 Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU), along with Marines from Kuwait and Pakistan, conduct an amphibious assault demonstration during Exercise Bright Star 2009.jpg|thumb|right|260px|[[Pakistan Marines]] dressed in operational camouflage uniforms, during training with the [[United States Marine Corps]] in [[Alexandria]] in 2009.]]

The Navy Special Service Group is headquartered at [[PNS Iqbal]] in Karachi where the physical conditioning and weapon tactics training take place.<ref name="Dawn Newspaper, W.S. Khan">{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Wajahat Saeed |author-link1=Wajahat Saeed Khan |title=Special Service Group (Navy) – Pakistan – Documentary |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esga0qM5-EY  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/esga0qM5-EY |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|website=www.youtube.com |publisher=Dawn Newspaper |access-date=3 February 2019 |language=en-us |format=watch.tv |date=12 April 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The Navy Special Service Group's specialisation further includes training and mastery in the [[visit, board, search, and seizure]] methods, [[Maritime interdiction|naval interdiction]], and [[Maritime security operations|security operations]] to prevent seaborne-based terrorism.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan Navy Seals | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYktXjHTTIk  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/NYktXjHTTIk |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|access-date=3 February 2019 |date=7 July 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The Navy Special Service Group is a tighter unit composed of highly qualified and selected personnel who are modelled on and inspired by the [[United States Navy SEALs|U.S. Navy SEALs]] training and tradition.<ref name="Dawn Newspaper, W.S. Khan"/> The actual number of personnel of Navy Special Service Group is classified and their deployment are also subjected to [[classified information]].<ref name="Dawn Newspaper, W.S. Khan"/>

In 1970–71, the Navy established the [[Pakistan Marines]] to support the [[amphibious warfare]] operations and were initially influenced by the [[United States Marines Corps]] but the Marines component was decommissioned by the federal government in 1974.<ref name="Pakistan Naval Inter-Services Public Relations (Naval ISPR)">{{cite web|last=PN|title=Pakistan Marines and the Navy|url=http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/qasim.htm|website=Pakistan Navy.|publisher=Pakistan Naval Inter-Services Public Relations (Naval ISPR)|access-date=8 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060704062828/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/qasim.htm|archive-date=4 July 2006}}</ref> On 14 April 1990, the Pakistan Marines were again recommissioned in the Navy with about 2,000 personnel.<ref>[http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/05/marine_pakistan_delegation_070519/ Pakistani Marines tour East Coast bases – Marine Corps News, news from Iraq – Marine Corps Times] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213203941/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/05/marine_pakistan_delegation_070519/ |date=13 February 2012 }}</ref> The advanced training of the Marines are often takes place with the [[Pakistan Army]] at their School of Infantry and Tactics in Quetta in Balochistan.<ref name="ISPR Marines">{{cite web |last1=Khiyal |first1=Commander Roshan |title=Pakistan Marines |date=3 December 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JtnB1FDqNY |publisher=ISPR Marines |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223105037/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JtnB1FDqNY |archive-date=23 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Pakistan Marines#Marines bases, camps, and battalions|1st Marines Battalion]], the special operation unit, of the Pakistan Marines is specifically trained by the Pakistan Army to conduct infiltration and [[anti-aircraft warfare]] operations. The 1st Battalion is currently deployed in [[Sir Creek]].<ref name="Pakistan Marines Gharida Farooqi">{{cite web |title=G For Gharida: Pakistan Marines – Express News | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOrgW3q6NZI  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/BOrgW3q6NZI |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|access-date=3 February 2019 |language=ur |date=8 September 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Military philosophy==
===Combat doctrine===

[[File:Hamza!.jpg|thumb|right|290px|{{ship|PNS|Hamza}}, the [[Air-independent propulsion|air-independent]] powered {{sclass|Agosta 90B|submarine|1}}, being prepared to go through the [[Submarine depth ratings|depth tests]] in 2007. The ''Agosta 90B'' submarines are [[Cruise missile submarine|capable of]] launching the [[Submarine-launched cruise missile|nuclear-based cruise missiles]] from an underwater platform.<ref name="The Diplomat, Panda">{{cite news |last1=Panda |first1=Ankit |title=Pakistan Conducts Second Test of Babur-3 Nuclear-Capable Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/04/pakistan-conducts-second-test-of-babur-3-nuclear-capable-submarine-launched-cruise-missile/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=The Diplomat |agency=The Diplomat |date=1 April 2018 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212431/https://thediplomat.com/2018/04/pakistan-conducts-second-test-of-babur-3-nuclear-capable-submarine-launched-cruise-missile/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Joshua Berlinger, “South Asia's nuclear one-upmanship ramps up with Pakistan missile test,” CNN, 10 January 2017, https://www.cnn.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000620180259/https://www.cnn.com/ |date=20 June 2000 }}</ref>]]

The military doctrine and philosophy of the Pakistan Navy is primarily directed towards preventing the [[Indian Navy]] repeating the 1971 blockade of the Pakistani coasts.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/> From 1947 until 1971, the Pakistan Navy was effectively little more than a [[coast guard]] because the Government of Pakistan did not give importance to the strategy of protecting the [[sea lines of communication]].<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011"/>{{rp|68}} In 1971, the [[Indian Navy]] ultimately played a decisive role by enforcing a blockade of [[Chittagong]] and [[Karachi]], the only maritime outlets of [[East Pakistan]] and [[West Pakistan]] respectively. The Navy was unable to break the blockade leading to Pakistan's economic and military resources being severely drained and communication was limited between the two wings of the country. Subsequently, the [[Government of Pakistan|federal government]] increased the funding of the Navy.<ref name="NYU Press, PI Cheema, 2002" />{{rp|97–98}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Raska |first1=Michael |last2=Bekkevold |first2=Jo Inge |last3=Kalyanaraman |first3=S. |editor1-last=Bowers |editor1-first=Ian |title=Security, strategy and military change in the 21st century : cross-regional perspectives |date=2015 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |location=New York |isbn=9781317565345 |page=298 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=20ysCQAAQBAJ&dq=Pakistan+Navy+1950s++coastal+defense&pg=PA94 |access-date=5 February 2019 |format=google books |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212441/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Security_Strategy_and_Military_Change_in/20ysCQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Pakistan+Navy+1950s++coastal+defense&pg=PA94&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|94}}

Since 1971 the Navy tactical doctrine has included the acquisition, development, employment, and aggressive deployment of the long-range and [[Submarine depth ratings|depth reaching]] submarines in an effort to target and destroy its adversaries by attacking surface warships before reaching the country's ports.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan" /> The [[Demining|mining]] of the Karachi's harbour is also taken as a serious consideration of preventing the enemy from launching the missile attacks in the port city of Karachi.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan" />

In 1983–85, the Navy commissioned the [[Dassault Mirage 5]] from [[France]] whose weapon system included the naval variant of the [[Exocet missile]]s and are aimed towards engaging the Indian Navy's aircraft out to {{convert|500|km|mi}} in the [[Indian Ocean]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan" /><ref>{{cite book|title=Daily Report: South Asia|date=1982|publisher=Foreign Broadcast Information Service|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=04Hmo6BVJPgC|language=en|access-date=5 February 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212432/https://books.google.com/books?id=04Hmo6BVJPgC|url-status=live}}</ref>

The routine deployment of the surface fleet as part of the [[Combined Task Force 151|Combined Task Forces]] provides the opportunity to the safeguard the sealines of communications.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>  Since 1999, the [[Pakistan Marines]]'s special reconnaissance forces has been deployed in the [[Sir Creek]] region are aimed towards offshore protection against the incursions from the Indian Army's [[Para Commandos (India)|Para Commandos]] from the sea while taking the initiatives of deployment of the special forces groups behind the enemy lines through insertion by the [[HALO/HAHO]] airdrop or by using the midget submarines.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/>

Responding to the development of the [[INS Arihant]], the Pakistan Navy reportedly announced the launch of the nuclear powered submarine program to counter the submarine threat in 2012.<ref name="ARY News, Nuclear submarine">{{cite web |title=Pak Navy to build nuclear submarine,4/18/2013 11:25:37 PM |url=http://www.arynews.tv/english/newsdetail.asp?nid=54527 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418182536/http://www.arynews.tv/english/newsdetail.asp?nid=54527 |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2013 |website=archive.is |access-date=5 February 2019 |date=18 April 2013}}</ref>

The Navy eventually pushed for attaining the naval-based nuclear [[second-strike capability]] in 2017 when the [[Inter-Services Public Relations|ISPR]] announced the Pakistan Navy's to have attained the sea-based second strike capability when it launched the nuclear [[Submarine-launched cruise missile|SLCM]] based on the [[Babur (cruise missile)|Babur]] cruise missile, though the range of the SLCM remains to be at the short range.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan attains 'second strike capability' with test-fire of submarine-launched cruise missile |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1307384 |access-date=5 February 2019 |work=DAWN.COM |date=9 January 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703104005/https://www.dawn.com/news/1307384 |archive-date=3 July 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

==Equipment==
{{Main|List of equipment of the Pakistan Navy}}

===Ships: Surface combatants===
{{See also|List of active Pakistan Navy ships|List of former ships of Pakistan Navy}}

{{multiple image
| width = 200
| footer = 
| image1 = PNS Tippu Sultan former HMS Avenger.jpg
| alt1 = Tariq
| caption1 = {{small|The {{sclass|Tariq|frigate|0}} [[guided missile frigate]], former British general purpose frigates that underwent major refitting and overhauling in 2002}}
| image2 = F-22P PNS Zulfiquar.JPG
| alt2 = F-22P
| caption2 = {{small|The [[F-22P Zulfiquar-class frigate|F-22P ''Zulfiquar''-class]] [[Guided Missile Frigate|guided missile frigates]], designed and constructed with a joint venture with [[China]] and Pakistan in 2008}}
| image3 = USS McInerney (FFG-8) underway in the Atlantic Ocean on 8 June 2004.jpg
| alt3 = McInerney
| caption3 = {{small|{{USS|McInerney}} in 2004. She is now known as PNS ''Alamgir'' after a major refit and overhaul in 2010.}}
}}

[[File:Larkana (PB 157)-090309-N-4774B-055.jpg|thumb|200px|right|{{small|PNS ''Larkana'' patrolling off the [[Karachi Coast|Karachi coast]] in 2009. She is the lead ship of the ''Larkana''–class missile boats.}}]]

The names of the commissioned warship and noncombat vessels of the Pakistan Navy are prefixed with the capital letters "'''PNS'''"— the Pakistan Navy Ship.<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan" /> The naming convention of the ship are selected by the [[Ministry of Defence (Pakistan)|Ministry of Defense]], often honouring the important people or places in the history of Pakistan, and then commissioned by the [[President of Pakistan]].<ref name="Official Website - Frigates">[http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/frigate.htm Official Website – Frigates]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516085915/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/frigate.htm|date=16 May 2012}}</ref><ref name="Official Website - Missile Boats">[http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/SURFACE%20WARRIORS%20-%20PN.htm Official Website – Missile Boats]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527232149/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/SURFACE%20WARRIORS%20-%20PN.htm|date=27 May 2012}}</ref>

The Surface Fleet, established in 1947, is a pivotal component of the Navy with crucial role in maintaining the military balance with the [[Indian Navy]] in the [[Indian Ocean]], taking part in multinational task forces to prevent seaborne terrorism and piracy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Surface Fleet |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/fleet.html# |access-date=8 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919062032/https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/fleet.html |archive-date=19 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Navy currently operates approximately 100 vessels including ones used by the Maritime Security Agency (MSA) and [[Pakistan Marines]].<ref name="PakDef Military Consortium, Khan"/> In the current inventory, the Navy has a combination of Turkish, American, Chinese and locally produced ships including the American {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|2}}, Turkish-designed [[Babur-class corvette|Babur class]], and locally-built {{sclass|Zulfiquar|frigate|2}} (built with Chinese assistance). Decommissioning of the ageing {{sclass|Tariq|destroyer|4}} destroyer has been completed after the construction of additional missile guided {{sclass|Zulfiquar|frigate|2}}<nowiki/>s in Pakistan by 2021 and the acquisition of the [[Type 054A frigate]]s from China that started in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2017/12/27/pakistan-shops-for-warships-to-replace-british-frigates-modernize-navy/|title=Pakistan shops for warships to replace British frigates, modernize Navy|last=Ansari|first=Usman|date=27 December 2017|work=Defense News|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212433/https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2017/12/27/pakistan-shops-for-warships-to-replace-british-frigates-modernize-navy/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/324301-pakistan-navy-signs-contract-to-acquire-two-modern-warships-from-china | title=Pakistan Navy signs contract to acquire two modern warships from China | access-date=22 July 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723003624/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/324301-pakistan-navy-signs-contract-to-acquire-two-modern-warships-from-china | archive-date=23 July 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1725496/1-navy-acquire-two-chinese-warships/| title=Navy to acquire two Chinese warships| date=June 2018| access-date=22 July 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723003553/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1725496/1-navy-acquire-two-chinese-warships/| archive-date=23 July 2018| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="informationxone">[https://web.archive.org/web/20180915130154/http://informationxone.com/] informationxone</ref>

The ''Tariq'' class were a class of [[guided missile destroyer]]s that were in the service with the 25th Destroyer Squadron. The [[F-22P Zulfiquar-class frigate|F-22P ''Zulfiquar'' class]] [[Guided Missile Frigate|guided missile frigates]] are attached with the 18th Destroyer Squadron with a complement of the American-transferred {{USS|McInerney}} (now PNS ''Alamgir'') in 2011.<ref>See: [[USS McInerney#Transfer to Pakistan|Transfer of USS ''McInerney'' to the Pakistan Navy]]</ref>

[[File:US Navy 100831-N-8590G-005 Pakistan sailors parade their country's colors during the decommissioning ceremony of USS McInerney (FFG 8) at Naval Station Mayport.jpg|thumb|left|260px|{{small|PNS ''Alamgir'' (former {{USS|McInerney|FFG-8|6}}), being handed over to Pakistan Navy on 31 August 2010 at the [[Naval Station Mayport]] in Florida}}]]

In 1992, the [[French Navy]] transferred its {{sclass2|Tripartite|minehunter|2}} and helped designed the {{sclass|Munsif|minehunter|1}}s in Pakistan as a local production that increased the Pakistan Navy's operational scope and its overall capabilities.

In 2011, the Navy commissioned the [[Azmat-class fast attack craft|''Azmat''-class]] corvette based on the Chinese design of [[Type 37-II|Type 037II Houjian]] missile boat with the lead boat being designed in China while three remaining were built in Pakistan through the technology transfer agreement– these missile boats are commissioned into the 10th Patrol Squadron.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/72706/pakistan-commissions-third-azmat-class-patrol-vessel|title=Pakistan commissions third Azmat-class patrol vessel {{!}} Jane's 360|website=www.janes.com|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731121338/http://www.janes.com/article/72706/pakistan-commissions-third-azmat-class-patrol-vessel|archive-date=31 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.yonca-onuk.com/mrtp_33.htm MRTP-33 missile boats] THE 33&nbsp;METRE Fast Patrol / Attack Craft  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416163254/http://www.yonca-onuk.com/mrtp_33.htm|date=16 April 2008}}</ref><ref name="10th Patrol Squadron, Pakistan Navy">{{cite web |title=10th Patrol Squadron |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/10patron.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111084249/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/10patron.html |archive-date=11 January 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In addition, the 10th Patrol Squadron has commissioned the two ''Jurrat''-class missile boats based on the German-designed and two missile boat based on the from the Turkish design, [[Gölcük Naval Shipyard|MRTP]].<ref name="10th Patrol Squadron, Pakistan Navy"/> The ''Larkana''-class gunboats are locally produced at the [[Karachi Shipyard|KSEW Ltd.]] in Karachi that is in the current service with the Pakistan Navy, forming the Fast Patrol Craft Squadron.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fast Patrol Craft Squadron |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/fastpatron.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423111340/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/fastpatron.html |archive-date=23 April 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In addition to the Navy's operations of warships, the Navy operates coast guard ships intended for the Maritime Security Agency – most are imported from China while others are locally built to guard Pakistan's seaborne borders from illegal activities, followed by ten of the locally designed and built [[Fast Patrol Boat|patrol boats]] for the [[Pakistan Coast Guards|Coast Guards]] for the safety and policing of the [[List of beaches in Pakistan|beaches in the country]].<ref>[[Pakistan Maritime Security Agency#Vessels|List of ships of the Maritime Security Agency]]</ref>

[[File:U.S. Navy Cmdr. Russell Caldwell waves to the Turkish corvette TCG Heybeliada (F 511) from aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) in the Mediterranean Sea during a passing exercise Sept 140902-N-IY142-159.jpg|thumb|right|390px|{{ship|TCG|Heybeliada|F-511|6}} in the Mediterranean Sea]]

In 2017, the Pakistan Navy entered in discussion with the [[Turkish Navy]] to acquire four of the [[MILGEM project|MILGEM]]-class warship, and eventually signing a major defence deal based on a technology transfer with Turkey on 5 July 2018, which was described as "the largest defense export of Turkey in one agreement."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseworld.net/news/22850/Turkish_Firm_Wins_Tender_to_Build_Four_Corvettes_for_Pakistan_Navy#.Wz4bKdXdupp|title=Turkish Firm Wins Tender to Build Four Corvettes for Pakistan Navy|website=www.defenseworld.net|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705113710/http://www.defenseworld.net/news/22850/Turkish_Firm_Wins_Tender_to_Build_Four_Corvettes_for_Pakistan_Navy#.Wz4bKdXdupp|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

[https://www.stm.com.tr/en/our-solutions/naval-engineering/pakistan-navy-fleet-tanker-project The Pakistan Navy Fleet Tanker Project (PNFT)], of which STM, one of Turkey's leading companies in the defence industry, is the prime contractor, joined the Pakistan Navy in 2018.

[[File:People's Liberation Army (Navy) frigate PLA(N) Yueyang (FF 575) steams in formation with 42 other ships and submarines during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Chinese [[Type 054A]] frigates]]

On 1 June 2018, Pakistan Navy ordered four Type 054As. The ships are expected to enter service by 2021.

The steel-cutting ceremony for the second Type 054A frigate for the Pakistan Navy (PN) was held in China on 19 December 2018, marking the beginning of construction of the vessel at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai, China.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

On 1 November 2019, China's Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding held a steel cutting ceremony for the Pakistan Navy's third and fourth Type 054A frigates.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

Pakistan Navy outgoing Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said Navy will add more than 50 vessels, including 20 major ships, to its fleet as part of an ambitious modernisation plan to improve its capabilities. {{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

Navy would operate four modified [[Ada class]] corvette's from Turkey, two multi-purpose Yarmook class corvettes built by Dutch shipbuilder [[Damen Group|Damen Shipyards]] and twenty fast attack missile boats.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-signs-deal-to-produce-4-corvettes-with-pakistan/815631|title=Turkey signs deal to produce 4 corvettes with Pakistan|access-date=1 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719203502/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-signs-deal-to-produce-4-corvettes-with-pakistan/815631|archive-date=19 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.janes.com/article/79555/damen-begins-work-on-first-of-two-opvs-for-pakistan-navy | title=Damen begins work on first of two OPVs for Pakistan Navy &#124; Jane's 360 | access-date=22 July 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719203525/http://www.janes.com/article/79555/damen-begins-work-on-first-of-two-opvs-for-pakistan-navy | archive-date=19 July 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://nation.com.pk/01-Nov-2017/pakistan-orders-two-corvettes-from-us-based-swiftships| title=Pakistan orders two corvettes from US-based Swiftships| date=31 October 2017| access-date=18 July 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718205012/https://nation.com.pk/01-Nov-2017/pakistan-orders-two-corvettes-from-us-based-swiftships| archive-date=18 July 2018| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan Navy buying vessels for special operations from US company|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1367859 |access-date=8 February 2019|publisher=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date=2 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124328/https://www.dawn.com/news/1367859 |archive-date=9 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Submarines===
{{Main|List of submarines of the Pakistan Navy}}
[[File:حشمت - رزمایش مشترک دریایی ایران و پاکستان در تنگه هرمز (6).jpg|thumb|300px|right|{{small|{{ship|PNS|Hashmat}} in the [[Persian Gulf]] in 2014}}]]

Established in 1964, the Submarine Command is a major component of the Navy whose primary mission is to conduct clandestine military [[reconnaissance]] for [[Intelligence cycle management|intelligence]] and carry out [[Precision Attack Missile|precision strikes]] on enemy positions from underwater during war.<ref name="Submarine Force">{{cite web |title=Submarine Force |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/submarine_Force.html |access-date=8 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919062127/https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/submarine_Force.html |archive-date=19 September 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="NIT Pakistan Directorate">{{cite web|url=http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/pakistan-submarine-capabilities/|title=Pakistan Submarine Capabilities|last=NIT|website=Nuclear Threat Initiatives|publisher=NIT Pakistan Directorate|access-date=8 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531141959/http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/pakistan-submarine-capabilities/|archive-date=31 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Defence Industry Daily">{{cite news|last=Khaliej Times|title=German Submarine Deal With Pakistan Goes Quiet|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Report-German-Submarine-Deal-With-Pakistan-on-Hold-05432/|access-date=8 April 2012|newspaper=Defence Industry Daily|date=19 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916173944/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Report-German-Submarine-Deal-With-Pakistan-on-Hold-05432/|archive-date=16 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Hamza!.jpg|thumb|left|290px|{{small|{{ship|PNS|Hamza|S139|6}}, an [[Air-independent propulsion|air-independent]]-powered {{sclass|Agosta 90B|submarine|1}}, being prepared to go through the [[Submarine depth ratings|depth tests]] in 2007<ref name="The Diplomat, Panda"/>}}]]

There are eight submarines in active service including the {{sclass|Hashmat|submarine|0}} submarines, based on the [[Agosta-class submarine|''Agosta-70A'' class]], and three [[Italy|Italian]]–designed and locally–built [[Midget submarine|midget]] {{sclass|Cosmos|submarine|0}} (designated as X-Craft) submarines.<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011"/>{{rp|73}} The submarines are powered with [[Diesel-electric submarine|diesel-electric]] and [[air-independent propulsion]].<ref name="PN">Anon. (14 April 2007) [http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ Pakistan Navy]. ''Pakistan Navy website''.  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430203704/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/|date=30 April 2009}}</ref>

The ''[[Agosta-class submarine|Agosta-class]]'' submarines are equipped with an air-independent propulsion system giving a capability of deeper dives and the ability to submerge for a longer period of time without detection.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Osman |first1=Ali |title=Pakistan's tool of war: Agosta 90B, our subs in the deep |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1213256 |access-date=8 February 2019 |work=DAWN.COM |date=19 October 2015 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209180128/https://www.dawn.com/news/1213256 |archive-date=9 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> They are armed with [[Exocet]] and [[Babur (cruise missile)|Babur-III]] missiles, which can be launched from underwater.<ref name="The Diplomat, Gady, 2019">{{cite web |last1=Gady |first1=Franz-Stefan |title=Turkey to Upgrade Pakistan Navy Attack Sub |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/03/turkey-to-upgrade-pakistan-navy-attack-sub/ |website=The Diplomat |access-date=8 February 2019 |date=6 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221134634/https://thediplomat.com/2018/03/turkey-to-upgrade-pakistan-navy-attack-sub/ |archive-date=21 December 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Two of the three ''Agosta-90B'' class have undergone refitting and modernisation by the Turkish firm, STM.<ref name="The Diplomat, Gady, 2019"/>

[[File:Chinese Type 093 submarine.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Yuan class diesel electric submarine]]

In 2014, Pakistan Navy entered in defence discussions with the [[People's Liberation Army Navy]] for the procurement of the [[Type 039A submarine|Yuan-class]] [[Air-independent propulsion|AIP]] powered submarines, and eventually succeeded when the technology transfer agreement was signed between [[Pakistan and China|two nations]] in April 2015. This [[Pakistan Navy SSP programme|national submarine program]] is known as {{sclass|Hangor|submarine|1}} features air-independent propulsion is being constructed as a joint-venture with China with the expectation of being commissioned between 2023 and 2028.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1776522/beijing-eyes-bigger-arms-exports-experts-say|title=Beijing eyes bigger arms exports after Pakistan deal, experts say|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=2 June 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428132256/http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1776522/beijing-eyes-bigger-arms-exports-experts-say|archive-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In a direct response to {{INS|Arihant}}, the Pakistan Navy eventually succeeded getting the proposal approved for building the [[Nuclear submarine|nuclear-powered]] submarine whose delivery is expected to between 2028, according to the Pakistan Navy officials.<ref name="ARY News, Nuclear submarine"/>

In April 2014, the Navy announced that submarine operations would move from [[Karachi Naval Dockyard|Naval Base Karachi]] to the new [[Jinnah Naval Base]] in [[Ormara]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/36959/pakistan-navy-to-shift-submarines-from-karachi-to-ormara|title=Pakistan Navy to shift submarines from Karachi to Ormara|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224164949/http://www.janes.com/article/36959/pakistan-navy-to-shift-submarines-from-karachi-to-ormara|archive-date=24 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

Submarine training takes place at PNS ''Abdoze'' in Karachi. In May 2008, the Navy established the Fleet Acoustic Research and Classification Centre to validate submarine safety standards and to act as an underwater listening post to track unauthorised submarines.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fleet Acoustic Research and Classification Centre |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/FARCC.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=8 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701211445/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/FARCC.html |archive-date=1 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Auxiliaries, mine countermeasures, and amphibious warfare===
[[File:UG-LK Photowalk - Colombo Harbour - 2017-03-12 (1).jpg|thumb|250px|{{small|{{ship|PNS|Nasr}} in [[Colombo Harbour]], [[Sri Lanka]] in 2017}}]]

The Navy has six [[Replenishment oiler|replenishment oil]] tankers, three minehunters, and four [[Griffon 2000TD hovercraft]] for the [[amphibious warfare]].<ref name="9th Auxiliary squadron">{{cite web |title=9th Auxiliary squadron |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/9auxliary.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=8 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423112545/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/9auxliary.html |archive-date=23 April 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The [[Landing Craft Mechanized]] (LCM) are the important centre pieces for the amphibious operations undertaken by the [[Pakistan Marines|Marines]] and [[Expeditionary warfare|expeditionary]] actions by the [[Pakistan Army|Army]] as two of the LCMs are commissioned by the Navy after being handed over by the [[Karachi Shipyard|KSEW Ltd.]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Handing Over Ceremony of LCM – Karachi Shipyard & Engg Works Ltd | website=[[YouTube]] | date=23 August 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug7M8CS2cAQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/ug7M8CS2cAQ |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 1987, the Pakistan Navy commissioned {{ship|PNS|Nasr}}, the {{sclass2|Fuqing|replenishment ship|0}}, fleet tanker from China that was followed by the commissioning of {{ship|PNS|Moawin|A20}},  of the [[HNLMS Poolster (A835)|''Poolster'' class]], from the [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] in 1988.<ref name="9th Auxiliary squadron"/> In 1995, ''Poolster''-class PNS ''Moawin'' was subjected to a serious fire accident that claimed valuable life during the refitting of the vessel in Karachi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrms-poolster.nl/html/verslag_moawin.html|publisher=www.hrms-poolster.nl|title=Verslag Moawin|access-date=26 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626192437/http://www.hrms-poolster.nl/html/verslag_moawin.html|archive-date=26 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Navy also operates two coastal tankers that were indigenously designed and locally built at the [[Karachi Shipyard]]— PNS ''Gwadar'' and PNS ''Kalmat''— commissioned in 1984 and in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |title=COASTAL TANKERS |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/coastal_tankers.html |access-date=8 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118101238/http://paknavy.gov.pk/coastal_tankers.html |archive-date=18 November 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In 2011, the Navy commissioned two more small tankers/utility ships (STUS) —PNS ''Madadgar'' and PNS ''Rasadgar'' —to support the logistics and marine operations in the open sea.<ref>{{cite web |title=STUS |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/stus.html |access-date=8 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118101256/http://paknavy.gov.pk/stus.html |archive-date=18 November 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=STUS |url=http://www.karachishipyard.com.pk/stus/ |website=www.karachishipyard.com.pk |access-date=8 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124408/http://www.karachishipyard.com.pk/stus/ |archive-date=9 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

{{Gallery
|title=Auxiliaries, mine countermeasures, and amphibious warfare
|width=160
|height=170
|align=center
|File:PrinceWilliamAlongsideInFredrikstad.jpg|{{small|{{ship|PNS|Rah Naward}}, a [[tall ship]] purchased from the British [[Royal Navy]] in 2010}}
|File:Bevoorradingsschip voor de Koninklijke Marine de Poolst bij de steiger van de RD, Bestanddeelnr 916-8617.jpg|{{small|The [[HNLMS Poolster (A835)|''Poolster''-class]] {{ship|PNS|Moawin|A20|6}}}}
|File:Céphée BALTOPS 2010b.JPG|{{small|The [[French Navy]]'s ''Céphée''. {{ship|PNS|Munsif|M166|6}} is nearly identical to the one shown in the photo.}}
|File:Naval patrol.JPG|{{small|The [[Griffon 2000TD hovercraft]] of the [[Pakistan Marines]] in Karachi in 2006}}
}}

In 1992, the Navy increased its operational capabilities in [[Mine countermeasures vessel|mine countermeasures]] with the commissioning of {{ship|PNS|Munsif|M166|6}} from the [[French Navy]], followed by the technology transfer to Pakistan which led the commissioning of two more mine countermeasure vessels from {{sclass|Munsif|minehunter|1}} in 1996 and 1998.<ref name="Munsif class hunters">{{cite web |title=Munsif class hunters |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/MCMVS.html |access-date=8 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063402/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/MCMVS.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Together with the ''Munsif''-class minehunters and the replenishment oil tankers, these classes of ships are commissioned and complemented in the [[9th Auxiliary Squadron]].<ref name="9th Auxiliary squadron"/> In 2018, the Pakistan Navy commissioned another {{ship|PNS|Moawin|A39}} which was locally engineered and constructed from the crucial design guidance from Turkey – the fleet tanker is noted for being the largest [[warship]] ever built in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=PN Fleet Tanker (PNFT) is the biggest warship ever built in Pakistan to date. Image courtesy of Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited. |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/pn-fleet-tanker/attachment/pn-fleet-tanker1/ |website=1 – Naval Technology |access-date=16 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017043026/https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/pn-fleet-tanker/attachment/pn-fleet-tanker1/ |archive-date=17 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="Associate Press of Pakistan">{{cite news |title=PM to attend launching ceremony of PN Fleet Tanker in Karachi on Friday |url=http://www.app.com.pk/pm-to-attend-launching-ceremony-of-pn-fleet-tanker-in-karachi-on-friday/ |access-date=16 October 2018 |agency=Associate Press of Pakistan |date=17 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017043043/http://www.app.com.pk/pm-to-attend-launching-ceremony-of-pn-fleet-tanker-in-karachi-on-friday/ |archive-date=17 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In 2011, the Pakistan Navy established the 21st Auxiliary Squadron to further support its fleet's logistics operations to fulfill the requirements of hydrological survey in the ocean, and the dredging operations in the [[area of responsibility]] that includes the training requirements for the Pakistan Navy's personnel at the deeper ocean which is conducted by a dedicated Sail Training Vessel.<ref name="21st Auxiliary Squadron">{{cite web |title=21st Auxiliary Squadron |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/21auxron.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=2 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423110409/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/21auxron.html |archive-date=23 April 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The 21st Auxiliary Squadron consists of {{ship|PNS|Rah Naward}}, a [[tall ship]] acquired from the [[United Kingdom]] in 2010, PNS ''Behr Khusha'', a [[dredging]] vessel commissioned from China in 2008, and {{ship|PNS|Behr Paima}}, that was commissioned from [[Japan]] in 1983.<ref name="21st Auxiliary Squadron"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/21auxron.html|title=Pakistan Navy Official Website|website=www.paknavy.gov.pk|access-date=2 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423110409/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/21auxron.html|archive-date=23 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/78671/pakistan-navy-commissions-dredging-vessel|title=Pakistan Navy commissions dredging vessel {{!}} Jane's 360|website=www.janes.com|access-date=2 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424065911/http://www.janes.com/article/78671/pakistan-navy-commissions-dredging-vessel|archive-date=24 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://navaltoday.com/2016/04/22/pakistan-navy-gets-2-landing-craft/|title=Pakistan Navy Gets 2 Landing Craft|work=Naval Today|access-date=2 June 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618080059/https://navaltoday.com/2016/04/22/pakistan-navy-gets-2-landing-craft/|archive-date=18 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Aircraft===
[[File:Pakistan Navy Orion Asuspine.jpg|thumb|right|Naval Air Arm Maritime patrol [[Lockheed P-3 Orion|P-3C Orion]] take off (2010)]]
{{Main|Pakistan Naval Air Arm}}
The Aircraft in the Pakistan Navy provides the logistical support to the navy's readiness at all level of commands and serves as the supply platform, through helicopters, to conduct the [[search and rescue]], [[special operations]], [[anti-submarine warfare]] (ASW), and the [[anti-surface warfare]] (ASuW).<ref name="Naval Air Arm, Navy"/> Unlike the [[Indian Navy]], the Pakistan Navy does not have the rapid [[aircraft carrier]] based strike capability but relies its aerial strike operations from clear and traditionally long [[Landing strip|landing platform]] built at the [[PNS Mehran|Mehran Naval Air Station]] in Karachi.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ghosh |first1=Anjali |title=India's Foreign Police |date=2009 |publisher=Longman |isbn=9788131710258 |page=465 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y32u4JMroQgC |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212441/https://www.google.com/books/edition/India_s_Foreign_Policy/Y32u4JMroQgC?hl=en&gbpv=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|66}}
After realising the failure to protect the harbour from the attacks of the [[Indian Navy]] in 1971, the Navy took the research on using the aircraft on sea in an attempt to lessen the dependence on the [[Pakistan Air Force]], which already covers the airspace of Pakistan, and established the naval aviation branch, the [[Pakistan Naval Air Arm|Naval Air Arm]], in 1974.<ref name="Naval Air Arm, Navy">{{cite web|last=PN|title=Naval Airwar|url=http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/naval_airarm.htm|publisher=Naval Air Arm, Navy|access-date=8 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419133312/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/naval_airarm.htm|archive-date=19 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Ravi Shekhar Narain |title=The military factor in Pakistan |date=2008 |publisher=Frankfort, IL |location=Illinois, U.S. |isbn=9780981537894 |page=460 |access-date=9 February 2019 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wCm2DFZblOYC |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212441/https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Military_Factor_in_Pakistan/wCm2DFZblOYC?hl=en&gbpv=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> whose initial pilot training takes place at the [[PAF Academy]] in [[Risalpur]].<ref name="Dunya News, Khan, 2018">{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Wajahat Saeed |title=Mahaaz: The Air Force Academy |website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFudDQMvW18  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/yFudDQMvW18 |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|format=Dunya News |date=9 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The Navy operates the [[Lockheed P-3 Orion]], [[ATR 72]] and [[Hawker 800]] as their fixed-wing aircraft inventory.<ref name="Naval Air Arm, Navy" /> The rotary-wing aircraft in the naval air arm includes the [[Harbin Z-9]] and the [[Westland Sea King]]. In addition, there are numbers of aircraft active in the [[Pakistan Maritime Security Agency]] (MSA).<ref>{{cite web|title=93 PMSA SQUADRON|url=http://www.pmsa.gov.pk/93squadron.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406231105/http://www.pmsa.gov.pk/93squadron.php|archive-date=6 April 2018|access-date=9 February 2019}}</ref>

===Weapon systems and Air defence===
{{See also|List of missiles of Pakistan}}[[File:New Guard at Tomb of Quaid..jpg|thumb|250px|right|{{small|The [[Pakistan Ordnance Factories|POF]] [[G3P4]] is a standard rifle issued by the [[Pakistan Ministry of Defence|Ministry of Defense]] as seen by the Navy's enlisted personnel in 2009.<ref name="POF Standard rifle"/>}}]]

Current weapon systems in the Pakistan Navy is entirely composed and focused towards missiles, serving as both weapons or a defence from a threat.<ref name="DAWN.COM, Air Defense"/><ref name="Pakistan Defense Consortium, SI Shah, 2003">{{cite web |last1=Shah |first1=Syed Imran |title=Anti-Ship Missiles: India and Pakistan |url=http://pakdef.org/anti-ship-missiles-india-and-pakistan/ |website=pakdef.org |publisher=Pakistan Defense Consortium |access-date=9 February 2019 |location=Islamabad |date=1 June 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210044555/http://pakdef.org/anti-ship-missiles-india-and-pakistan/ |archive-date=10 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In 1971 with the Indian Navy's introduction of [[anti-ship missile]]s, Navy had the strong emphasis on classically using the [[Naval artillery|artillery]] and [[Naval ammunition|ammunition]] focusing towards the vintage tactics witnessed in the previous naval wars fought in the [[World War II]].<ref name="News International, 2012">{{cite news|title=Pakistan Navy's shelling of Dwarka in 1965 War |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/384344-pakistan-navy%E2%80%99s-shelling-of-dwarka-in-1965-war|access-date=9 February 2019|publisher=[[The News International]]|date=10 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210152657/https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/384344-pakistan-navy%E2%80%99s-shelling-of-dwarka-in-1965-war|archive-date=10 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Navy's primary air defence included the usage of the [[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM-ER]], [[HQ-16|LY-80]], [[HQ-7#HQ-7B (FM-90)|FM-90]], [[FN-6|FN-16]], [[Anza (missile)|Anza]] and the [[Mistral (missile)|Mistral]] system.<ref name="DAWN.COM, Air Defense">{{cite web |last1=Newspaper |first1=the |title=Surface-to-air missiles tested by Pak navy |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/594251 |website=DAWN.COM |access-date=9 February 2019 |language=en |date=27 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124000/https://www.dawn.com/news/594251 |archive-date=9 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

The primary and standard rifle issued for the Navy is the [[Pakistan Ordnance Factories|POF]] [[G3P4]], which is standard issue by the [[Pakistan Ministry of Defence|Ministry of Defense]], and is based on the German design of the [[Heckler & Koch G3|Heckler and Koch G3]] rifle.<ref name="POF Standard rifle">{{cite web |title=G3A3 & G3P4 |url=http://www.pof.gov.pk/productDetail/3 |website=www.pof.gov.pk |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210100058/http://www.pof.gov.pk/productDetail/3 |archive-date=10 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

The Navy's ground based air defence is entrusted with the Pakistan Marines who received their weapons training at the School of Infantry and Tactics in Quetta with the Pakistan Army.<ref name="ISPR Marines" /><ref name="Press Release, PN">{{cite news|title=Pakistan Navy Air Defence System|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JX_uLra0h8|access-date=9 April 2012|newspaper=Press Release, PN|date=27 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302134300/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JX_uLra0h8|archive-date=2 March 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, the Navy inducted the [[Babur (cruise missile)#Harbah|Harbah]] [[cruise missile]], based on the [[Babur (cruise missile)|Babur]] design, that was test fired from the PNS Himmat– the {{sclass|Azmat|fast attack craft|0}} missile boat.<ref>{{cite news |title=Navy conducts successful test of Harbah cruise missile |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/264336-palestinians-call-on-us-israel-to-set-borders |access-date=9 February 2019 |work=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210152553/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/264336-palestinians-call-on-us-israel-to-set-borders |archive-date=10 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The Navy operates the [[Zarb (missile)|Zarb]] cruise missile that was first test fired on 10 April 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pak Navy successfully test-fires anti-ship missile Zarb|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/111642-Pak-Navy-successfully-test-fires-anti-ship-missile-Zarb|access-date=9 February 2019|work=The News International|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031405/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/111642-Pak-Navy-successfully-test-fires-anti-ship-missile-Zarb |archive-date=16 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pakistan Navy tests weapon system|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=228661&Cat=4&dt=3/13/2010|access-date=9 April 2012|newspaper=[[The News International]]|date=13 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105232303/http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=228661&Cat=4&dt=3%2F13%2F2010|archive-date=5 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

The cruise missiles system in the Navy, the [[Babur (cruise missile)#Harbah|Harbah]] and [[Babur (cruise missile)|Babur–III]] are the variants and derivatives of the improved version of the first cruise missile that entered in the service of the [[Pakistan Army]]— the [[Babur (cruise missile)|Babur]] cruise missile system.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ansari |first1=Usman |title=Pakistan conducts anti-ship missile test |url=https://www.defensenews.com/land/2017/03/16/pakistan-conducts-anti-ship-missile-test/ |website=Defense News |date=8 August 2017 |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212434/https://www.defensenews.com/land/2017/03/16/pakistan-conducts-anti-ship-missile-test/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[FN-6|FN-16]], the [[man-portable air-defense systems]], tested on 25 December 2010 by Pakistan Marines with a range of 6&nbsp;km and altitude ≈3.5&nbsp;km.
* [[Mistral (missile)|Mistral]] shoulder-fired surface-to-air missile, test fired on 25 December 2010 by Pakistan Marines.

The military uniform in the Pakistan Navy includes the full white-worn [[Navy Service Uniform|service uniform]] as seen in the footage, and is worn on regular basis by the senior ranking star officers in the Navy.<ref name="Diane Publishing Co., PR Blood, 1996">{{cite book |last1=Blood |first1=Peter R. |title=Pakistan: A Country Study |date=1996 |publisher=Diane Publishing Co. |location=U.S.. |isbn=9780788136313 |page=398 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DRMTO7mn7hIC |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212443/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Pakistan/DRMTO7mn7hIC?hl=en&gbpv=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|295}} In the past times of 1947–2012, the Navy's uniform had closely followed the uniforms issued in the British [[Royal Navy]] with star officers often wearing the full white dress while the junior officers to enlisted members only wearing dressed-up blue working uniforms as their authorised working uniform in the vessels.<ref name="Diane Publishing Co., PR Blood, 1996"/>{{rp|295}}

In 2014, the Navy working uniform pattern for all officials have been changed in favour of adopting the authorised digital camouflage pattern uniform which incorporates sparse black and medium grey shapes on a light grey background.<ref name="Navy Working Uniforms">{{cite web |title=Navy Working Uniforms |url=http://camopedia.org/index.php?title=Pakistan |publisher=Navy Working Uniforms |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213061354/http://camopedia.org/index.php?title=Pakistan |archive-date=13 December 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

The [[Special Service Group (Navy)|Navy Special Service Group]] follows the [[Special Service Group|Army Special Service Group]]'s authorised uniform and wears the [[U.S. Woodland|U.S. Woodland (M81)]] uniform while the Pakistan Marines have their own woodland pattern featuring light brown, olive green and blue shapes on a tan or light olive background.<ref name="Navy Working Uniforms"/>

=== Air defence systems ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Photo
!Type
!Origin
!Variant
!Range
!Notes
|-
! colspan="7" |Air defence - missile systems
|-
|[[CAMM (missile family)|CAMM]]
|
|[[Surface-to-air missile|Medium-range surface-to-air missile]]
|{{UK}} / {{ITA}}
|[[CAMM (missile family)|Albatross NG]]
|45&nbsp;km
|''Babur''-class corvettes equipped with [[CAMM (missile family)|Albatross NG]]
|-
|[[HQ-16|LY-80]]
|[[File:HQ-16A Surface-to-air missiles 20170919.jpg|150px]]
|[[Surface-to-air missile|Medium-range surface-to-air missile]]
|{{PRC}}
|LY-80N
|40+&nbsp;km
|[[Type 054A]] frigates equipped with LY-80 missile
|-
|[[HQ-7|FM-90]]
|[[Image:Chinese HQ-7 and Type 79A 100mm turret.jpg|150px]]
|[[Surface-to-air missile|Short-range surface-to-air missile]]
|{{PRC}}
|FM-90N
|15&nbsp;km
|[[Zulfiquar-class frigate|''Zulfiquar''-class frigate]] equipped with FM-90N
|-
|[[FN-6|FN-16]]
|
|[[Man-portable air-defense system]]
|{{PRC}}
|
|6000m
|
|-
|[[Anza (missile)|KRL Anza]]
|[[File:ANZA MK 2.JPG|frameless|150px]]
|[[Man-portable air-defense system]]
|{{PAK}}
|Mk II
|6000m
|
|-
|[[Mistral (missile)|Mistral]]
| 
|[[Man-portable air-defense system]]
|{{FR}}
|
|6000m
|
|-
! colspan="7" |Air defence - gun systems
|-
|[[Oerlikon GDF]]
|[[File:FlAK85.JPG|120px]]
|[[Anti-aircraft warfare#AA warfare systems|Anti-aircraft gun]] (2 x 35mm)
|{{CHE}}
|GDF-002<br />GDF-005
|4000m
|
|-
|[[Type 77 heavy machine gun#Type 85 heavy machine gun|Type 85]]
|[[File:SSG R8B7698-1200.jpg|120 px]]
|[[Anti-aircraft warfare#AA warfare systems|Anti-aircraft gun]] (12.7mm)
|{{PRC}}
|Type 77
|4000m
|
|}

=== Missiles systems ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Photo
!Type
!Origin
!Range
!Variant
!Notes
|-
! colspan="7" |Air defence - missile systems
|-
|[[YJ-12]]
|
|[[anti-ship missile|ASCM]]
|{{PRC}}
|280&nbsp;km
|CM-302
|[[Tughril-class frigate|Tughril-class]] equipped with supersonic ASCM
|-
|[[YJ-62|C-602]]
|[[File:Neptune cruise missile 06.jpg|150px]]
|[[anti-ship missile|ASCM]]
|{{PRC}}{{PAK}}
|280&nbsp;km
|Zarb
|Ground based anti-ship cruise missile

|-
|[[Babur (cruise missile)|Babur III]]
|[[File:USS Santa Fe (SSN-763) VLS doors open.jpg|150px]]
|[[Submarine-launched cruise missile|SLCM]]<br />[[anti-ship missile|ASCM]]
|{{PAK}}
|450&nbsp;km
|Babur III
|Modernized [[Agosta-class submarine]] and futuristic

|-
|[[Babur (cruise missile)|Harbah]]
|[[File:Corvette C28A.jpg|150px]]
|[[anti-ship missile|ASCM]]<br />[[Land-attack missile|LACM]]
|{{PAK}}
|700&nbsp;km
|Babur 1B
|[[PNS Azmat|Azmat class]] test fire multiple times dual anti-ship & Land attack cruise missile
|-
|[[Harpoon (missile)|Harpoon]]
|[[File:Harpoon missile launch aboard USS Shiloh.jpg|150px]]
|[[anti-ship missile|ASCM]]
|{{USA}}
|125+ km
|Block II
|[[USS McInerney (FFG-8)|PNS Alamgir]] frigate and Lockheed [[P-3C Orion]] equipped with Harpoon anti-ship missile

|-
|[[YJ-83]]
|[[File:Corvette C28A.jpg|150px]]
|[[anti-ship missile|ASCM]]
|{{PRC}}
|180+ km
|C-802
|[[Zulfiquar-class frigate]] and 
[[PNS Azmat|Azmat-class]] missile crafts based anti-ship cruise missile
|-
|[[Exocet]]
|[[File:ExocetNerz.jpg|150px]]
|[[anti-ship missile|ASCM]]
|{{FRA}}
|120+ km
|SM39<br />AM39
|[[Agosta-class submarine]] and [[Dassault Mirage|Mirage 5]] equipped with Exocet SM39 & AM39 anti-ship missile 
|}

==Bases and facilities==
{{Main|List of Pakistan Navy bases|Pakistan Armed Forces deployments}}
[[File:Pakistan Navy Ships2.jpeg|left|240px|thumb|{{small|Pakistan Navy personnel conducting a [[Maritime interdiction|naval interdiction]] exercise with the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] personnel in the [[Indian Ocean]] in 2004}}]]

From 1947 to 1991, the entire [[Military installations in Karachi|naval infrastructure and bases]] of the Pakistan Navy were primarily based in [[Karachi]] with the exception of the [[Naval Headquarters (Pakistan)|Navy NHQ]] in Islamabad.<ref name="Command & Structure « PakDef Military Consortium" /> In the 1950s, it was the crucial help from the [[United States Navy]] that the [[Karachi Naval Dockyard]] was built and constructed for wartime operations.<ref name="Oxford University Press, Harkavy">{{cite book |last1=Harkavy |first1=Robert E. |title=Bases abroad : the global foreign military presence |date=1989 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York, US |isbn=9780198291312 |page=389 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j5J10im3ETMC |access-date=6 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212443/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Bases_Abroad/j5J10im3ETMC?hl=en&gbpv=0 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|27}} Besides the [[Karachi Naval Dockyard|Naval Base Karachi]], the PNS Dhaka in [[East Pakistan]] was the only naval base for the Pakistan Navy, dedicated for coastal operations only<ref>{{cite book |title=Pakistan Economist |date=1971 |publisher=S. Akhtar Ali |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E94nAAAAMAAJ |language=en |access-date=6 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212435/https://books.google.com/books?id=E94nAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|24}}

After the Indian Navy's missile attacks in Karachi in 1971, the Navy concentrated on building and moving its operational assets in [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], and the [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]].<ref name="Command & Structure « PakDef Military Consortium" />

These naval bases are operationalised for various purposes including the logistics and maintenance support, armoury and ammunition support, air stations, military hospitals, [[Sea, Air, and Land Teams|SEALs teams]], coastal and missile defences, missile boats and submarine bases, forward operating bases etc.<ref name="Command & Structure « PakDef Military Consortium" /> The [[PNS Zafar]] serves as the major logistics naval base for the Pakistani military's operational capability in the western and northern Pakistan, followed by the naval forward operating base constructed at the vicinity of the [[Pakistan Naval War College|Naval War College]] in Lahore.<ref>{{cite news |title=Naval War College |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/pnwarcollege.html |access-date=6 February 2019 |work=www.paknavy.gov.pk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141602/https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/pnwarcollege.html |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

The primary naval air station is [[PNS Mehran]], followed by the establishment of the naval air stations in [[PNS Makran|Makran]], [[PNS Ahsan|Ormara]], [[PNS Siddiq|Turbat]] and the [[PNS Himalaya|Manora Island]].<ref name="Turbat Naval Air Station">{{cite web |title=Naval Air Station in Turbat becomes operational, will provide support to CPEC|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1335356|publisher=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|access-date=6 February 2019|date=25 May 2017}}</ref> In 2017, PNS Siddiq was commissioned to support the aerial missions for the [[Pakistan Naval Aviation]] reconnaissance group to guard the safety of the [[CPEC]].<ref name="Turbat Naval Air Station"/>

The [[PNS Hameed]], commissioned in 2017, is a [[Very low frequency|VLF]] facility near the Karachi coast, while the Karachi-based [[PNS Iqbal]] and the [[PNS Qasim]] serves for the operational activities dedicated for the [[Special Service Group (Navy)|Navy Special Service Group]] and the [[Pakistan Marines|Marines]].<ref>See: [[PNS Iqbal]] and [[PNS Qasim|Marines Base Qasim]] pages on Wikipedia English</ref> The [[Jinnah Naval Base]] and proposed [[Kalmat Naval Base]] are dedicated towards maintaining and harbouring the country's strategic assets such as the nuclear-capable submarines.<ref name="Pakistan Today, Babar, 2016">{{cite news |last1=Babar |first1=Mian |title=Jinnah Naval Base – Navy expands strategic outreach to West Coast, Persian Gulf |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/01/14/jinnah-naval-base-navy-expands-strategic-outreach-to-west-coast-persian-gulf-2/ |access-date=6 February 2019 |agency=Pakistan Today |newspaper=Pakistan Today |date=14 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209181610/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/01/14/jinnah-naval-base-navy-expands-strategic-outreach-to-west-coast-persian-gulf-2/ |archive-date=9 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Abbasi becomes first Pakistan PM to board submarine in open sea |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1591963/1-abbasi-becomes-first-pakistan-pm-board-submarine-open-sea/ |access-date=6 February 2019 |work=The Express Tribune |date=24 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225001932/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1591963/1-abbasi-becomes-first-pakistan-pm-board-submarine-open-sea/ |archive-date=25 December 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Besides deployment within Pakistan, the Pakistan Navy, along with the inter-services branches, are permanently based in different parts in the [[Saudi Arabia]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref>[[Pakistan Armed Forces deployments]]</ref>

==Medical care==
The Navy operates five hospitals:
* [[PNS Shifa Hospital]], Karachi (600 beds)<ref name=hospitals>{{cite web|url=http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/hospitals.htm |date=2 July 2006 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |access-date=26 February 2022 |url-status=dead |title=PNS Shifa Hospital |publisher=Pakistan Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928034306/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/hospitals.htm}}</ref>
* [[PNS Hafeez Hospital]], Islamabad (197 beds)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/hafeez.html|title=PNS Hafeez|publisher=Pakistan Navy |access-date=2 January 2023}}</ref>
* [[PNS Rahat Hospital]], Karachi (200 beds)<ref name=hospitals/>
* [[PNS Darmaan Jah Hospital]], Ormara (100 beds)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1290965|title=NA committee members visit PN installations|date=20 October 2016|newspaper=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|access-date=2 January 2023}}</ref>
* Naval Hospital, Turbat (25 beds)
* Naval Hospital, Gwadar (100 beds) is in planning

==Personnel==

===Commissioned officers===
{{Main|Naval ranks and insignia of Pakistan}}
[[File:CTF 150 Change of Command 131201-N-IZ292-079.jpg|thumb|right|290px|{{small|[[Commodore (rank)|Commodore]] Asif Khaliq (left) saluting with officers Cdre. [[Keith Blount]] (middle) of [[Royal Navy|RN]] Cdre. Daryl Bates (right) of [[Royal New Zealand Navy|RNZN]]. The [[Commodore (rank)|Cdre.]] is a star officer rank equivalent to [[One star rank]] ([[Brigadier|Brig.]]) in the [[Pakistan Army]].<ref name="Officer rank system in Pakistan Navy"/>}}]]

From its commencement in August 1947, the Pakistan Navy had traditionally followed the [[Royal Navy officer rank insignia|ranks and insignia]] of the [[Royal Navy]] but disbanded in favour of adopting the [[United States Navy officer rank insignia|officer ranks]] system of the [[United States Navy]] as early as the 1950s.<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011"/><ref name="Officer rank system in Pakistan Navy">{{cite web |title=Officer rank system in Pakistan Navy |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ranks.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124140612/https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ranks.html |archive-date=24 January 2013}}</ref>{{rp|73}}

Unlike the army or air force where there are several paths to become the officers, there is only one way of becoming the naval officer by must attending the [[Pakistan Naval Academy]]—after passing out the [[PNS Himalaya|boot camp]] in [[Manora Island]]— for one-and-half year for them to be able to [[Passing out (military)|passed out]] from the academy.<ref name="Career as Professional Officer">{{cite web |title=Career as Professional Officer |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/professional_officer.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref>

The [[Passing out (military)|passed out]] cadets gain [[Commissioned officer|commission]] in the Navy as [[midshipman]], taking their first assignment in an open-sea ship that gives them the experience of life at sea while being trained in different careers on board.<ref name="Career as Professional Officer"/>  The training of the [[Passing out (military)|passed out]] midshipman usually lasts till six months before rotating back to the naval academy to be promoted as the [[Sub-lieutenant]]s.<ref name="Career as Professional Officer"/> Their college education is provided at the [[Pakistan Navy Engineering College]] in [[Karachi]] for three years, pursuing a [[bachelor's degree]] in their choice of career.<ref name="Career as Professional Officer"/>
[[File:Pak Navy Sailors.jpg|thumb|US Navy and Pakistan Navy Sailors during a joint exercise]]

The Pakistan Navy has the same officer rank hierarchy as the [[Royal Navy]]; insignia [[Royal Navy officer rank insignia|are similar to the Royal Navy]] except that commodore's and admiral's shoulder boards have a star and crescent instead of a crown.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ranks system in Pakistan Navy |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ranks.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124140612/https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/ranks.html |archive-date=24 January 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=February 2019}}

Besides the military officers, the Department of Navy also offers employments to civilians in financial management, accountancy, medical services, computing, and administration, and has currently employed ≈2,000 civilians that met the Navy's quota in 2018.<ref name="filectory.com">{{cite web |title=Advertisement of Join Pakistan Navy civilians |url=https://filectory.com/join-pak-navy-jobs-2019-apply-online-www-joinpaknavy-gov-pk |website=filectory.com |access-date=15 April 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205211420/https://filectory.com/join-pak-navy-jobs-2019-apply-online-www-joinpaknavy-gov-pk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin:0 12px 12px 0;"
|- style="background-color:#CCCCCC; width: 100%"
! Rank group 
! colspan=8| General ranks / Senior flag officers
! colspan=2| Star rank senior officers / Junior flag officers
! colspan=4| Senior officers
! colspan=10| Junior officers
! colspan=12| Officer cadet
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Pakistan}}
|}

===Enlisted personnel===

[[File:Pakisan First - Pakistan Navy sailors at the tomb of Quaid e Azam.jpg|thumb|250px|right|{{small|The Pakistan Navy's enlisted personnel at the [[Mazar-e-Quaid|Jinnah's Tomb]] in Karachi in 2007}}]]

The recruitment and the enlistment in the navy is nationwide and the recruitment in the Navy is carried out by the release of the employment tender in the [[Newspapers in Pakistan|print newspapers]] and [[Media of Pakistan|televised commercials]] twice a year– first group attending the boot camp in May and the second being directed on November.<ref name="Career as a Enlisted Sailor">{{cite web |title=Career as a Enlisted Sailor |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/proud_sailor.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126010218/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/proud_sailor.html |archive-date=26 November 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The Directorate of Recruitment that is located in the [[NHQ (Pakistan Navy)|Navy NHQ]] in Islamabad controls the recruiting offices and centers in all over the country— the recruiting offices are located in [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]], [[Sindh]], and [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Recruitment centers |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/recruitment_centers.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119115256/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/recruitment_centers.html |archive-date=19 November 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Before 1966, almost all the enlisted personnel and officers had to be sent to attend the military academies in the [[United Kingdom]] to be educated and to be trained in technical branches for the Pakistan Navy.<ref name="NYU Press, PI Cheema, 2002" />{{rp|90}}

After passing out from the nine-month long boot camp, the enlisted personnel are directed for subsequent job training at the [[PNS Karsaz]] in Karachi on the matters of technical subjects and assigned for different branches in the Navy.<ref name="Career as a Enlisted Sailor"/>

Promotion in the Navy from the enlistment to officers ranks are much quicker than the army or the air force, as the Department of Navy offers financial aid to those enlisted personnel successful in their profession to attend the [[Universities In Pakistan|colleges and universities]].<ref name="Career as a Enlisted Sailor"/> Most of the enlisted personnel rarely stays in their enlisted ranks at the time of their retirement as most retires at junior officer ranks once reaching their retirement age of 62<ref name="NYU Press, PI Cheema, 2002" />{{rp|90}}

Their technical experiences in their fields is consolidated into the professional training that forms their basis to attend the respective university for them to earn the four-year college degree.<ref name="Career as a Enlisted Sailor"/>

The [[Non-commissioned officer|noncommissioned officers]] (or enlists) wear respective anchors color patches or badges chevrons on their shoulders.<ref name="Career as a Enlisted Sailor"/> Retirement age for the enlisted personnel varies and depends on the enlisted ranks that they have attained during their services.<ref name="Career as a Enlisted Sailor"/>

{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin:0 12px 12px 0;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/Pakistan}}
|}

===Recruitment and training===
{{Main|Quota system in Pakistan}}
[[File:Parallel steps - Navy Guards replacing the Older Ones at Mazar-e-Quaid during Pakistan's Independence Day.jpg|thumb|250px|left|{{small|The [[Passing out (military)|passing out]] (graduation) of cadets from the [[Pakistan Naval Academy]] in [[Karachi]] in 2008. The education and boot camp training last for two years before cadets becomes sailors.<ref name="Career as a Enlisted Sailor" />}}]]

After the Navy was established in August 1947, the Navy had to send its officers and enlisted personnel to be trained at the [[Britannia Royal Naval College]] in the [[United Kingdom]] whose training and education by the British [[Royal Navy]] was crucial at all levels of cadet's learning and schooling.<ref name="NYU Press, PI Cheema, 2002" /><ref name="Pakistan Naval Academy">{{cite web |title=Pakistan Naval Academy |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/rahbar.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220191155/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/rahbar.html |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref>{{rp|91}} During its earliest time in 1947, the Department of Navy had only 3,800 personnel (200 [[Naval ranks and insignia of Pakistan|officers]], 3,000 Enlists, and 500 civilian employees) as the Navy faced the same problems as its [[Pakistan Army|Department of Army]] as the most technical enlisted personnel and skilled executive officers were [[Punjabi Muslim]]s while others had [[Urdu speaker|Urdu-speaking]] background (i.e. [[Indian people in Pakistan|Indian immigrants]] as naturalised citizens of Pakistan).<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|47}}

After 1971, the [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto|Bhutto administration]] introduced the [[Quota system in Pakistan|quota system]] to give fair chance to the residents of [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa]] and [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]] to enlist in the military.<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011" />{{rp|75}} In 2012, Sanhia Karim became the first [[Balochi people|Balochi]] woman to be commissioned into the navy, she joined in a squad consisting of fifty-three female officers and seventy-two enlists from [[Balochistan, Pakistan|Balochistan]], [[Pakistan]].<ref name="Dawn News, 19th March 2012">{{cite news|last=Dr. Mustaghis-ur-Rahman|title=Gender inequality in {{sic|nolink=y|coporates|expected=corporates}}|url=http://dawn.com/2012/03/19/gender-inequality-in-coporates/|access-date=11 April 2012|newspaper=Dawn News, 19 March 2012|date=19 March 2012|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212438/https://www.dawn.com/news/703744/gender-inequality-in-coporates|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2021}} In 2012, the Navy pushed its personnel strength to Balochistan after sending a large formation of Baloch university students to Navy Engineering Colleges and War College as well as staff schools to complete their officer training requirements.<ref name="Dawn News, 10th March 2012">{{cite news|last=Our Reporter|title=Pakistan Navy offers jobs to Balochistan youths|url=http://dawn.com/2012/03/10/pakistan-navy-offers-jobs-to-balochistan-youths/|access-date=11 April 2012|newspaper=Dawn News, 10 March 2012|date=10 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414182700/http://dawn.com/2012/03/10/pakistan-navy-offers-jobs-to-balochistan-youths/|archive-date=14 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The Navy established three additional facilities in Balochistan to supervise the training to its personnel.<ref name="Dawn News, 10th March 2012"/>

Recruitment in the Navy remains to be challenge for the naval recruiters to enlists citizens and their selfless commitment to the military from the [[Urbanisation in Pakistan|urbanised]] metropolitan cities where the preference of [[college education]] (especially attending [[Postgraduate education|post-graduate]] schooling in the [[United States]] and the [[Commonwealth of Nations|English-speaking]] countries) is much higher and strongly desirable.<ref name="Lancer's Publications and Distributors" />{{rp|80}} Furthermore, the medical standards and education levels required by the Department of Navy to be able to perform technical jobs also poses significant challenges as the Navy requiring the significant percentage marks once the [[Matriculation in Pakistan|matriculation examinations]] are concluded.<ref name="Career as a Enlisted Sailor" />

The Navy has only one [[Recruit training|boot camp]], the [[PNS Himalaya|PNS ''Himalaya'']] in [[Manora Island]], where the [[Basic training|basic]] military training takes place.<ref name="Career as a Enlisted Sailor" /> The basic military training at the [[PNS Himalaya]] goes for nine-months where instructions on military life is given while the [[Physical exercise|physical conditioning]] is strongly emphasised.<ref name="PNS Himalaya- the boot camp of Navy">{{cite web |title=PNS Himalaya- the boot camp of Navy |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/himalaya.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217175011/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/himalaya.html |archive-date=17 December 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The [[officer cadet]]s are sent to attend the [[Pakistan Naval Academy]] where their training lasts for two years before they are able to [[Passing out (military)|pass out]] from the Naval Academy.<ref name="NYU Press, PI Cheema, 2002" />{{rp|93}}<ref name="Career as Professional Officer" /> Once passing out, the commissioned junior officers must spend six-month deployment in [[Arabian Sea]] before being selected to attend the professional schools, such as the [[Pakistan Navy Engineering College|Naval Engineering College]] in Karachi, to move towards attaining the bachelor's degree in a period of four-years.<ref name="Career as Professional Officer" />

As the estimates made in 2003 and 2009, the Navy had approximately ≈30,200 active duty personnel.<ref name="IISS2010">''The Military Balance 2010'', p. 367, [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] (London, 2010).</ref> In 2014, the estimates established the Navy's manpower strength at 30,700 active duty personnel.<ref name="Penguin UK, Ahmed">{{cite book|last1=Ahmed|first1=Khaled|title=Sleepwalking to Surrender: Dealing with Terrorism in Pakistan|date=2014|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=9789386057624|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TbzBDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT95|language=en|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205212435/https://books.google.com/books?id=TbzBDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT95|url-status=live}}</ref> but its combined manpower strength is increased and approximated at ≈40,500 personnel based on recent estimates in 2018.<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011" />{{rp|73}}

==Education and training==
{{Main|Military academies in Pakistan}}

===Schooling, teaching, and institutions===
The Pakistan Navy offers the wide range of lucrative careers to the high school graduates in the technical fields by issuing specialised diplomas and certifications at the [[PNS Karsaz]] and the PNS Bahadur, which consists of the schools of operations, underwater, surface weapons, communications, and the naval police.<ref name="Career as a Enlisted Sailor" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan Navy Official Website |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/bahadur.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161210120814/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/bahadur.html |archive-date=10 December 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Instructions and technical education on technical fields and the engineering are primarily taught at the [[Pakistan Navy Engineering College]] that is open for both military and public admission, and offers college degree programs at undergraduate and post-graduate level.<ref>{{cite web |title=Naval Engineering College |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/jauhar.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204122446/https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/jauhar.html |archive-date=4 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

When the Navy was established in 1947, there was no technical schools for the Navy to look after the ship maintenance and [[Machinist's mate|power machinery]] that led to the establishment of the Pakistan Naval Polytechnic Institute (PNPI) in 1951 and the [[Pakistan Navy Engineering College|Navy Engineering College]] in 1962 whose admissions are open to public besides the military personnel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Naval Polytechnic Institute |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/PNPI/index.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218093302/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/PNPI/index.html |archive-date=18 December 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> From 1947 to 1967, the Navy had to rely on the education and training provided by the [[Royal Navy]] at all levels of schooling, and had to send most of its officers and enlisted men to be trained at the [[Britannia Royal Naval College]] at the [[Dartmouth, Devon|Dartmouth]] and the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich|Royal Naval College]] in Greenwich who were mostly trained in communication and navigation.<ref name="Pakistan Naval Academy, intro">{{cite web |title=Pakistan Naval Academy |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/rahbar.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220191155/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/rahbar.html |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Training on the operations of warships and education on the [[Staff (military)|military staffing]] was crucial for the Pakistan Navy in the 1960s under the [[United States]]-sponsored [[International Military Education and Training]] (IMET) arranged for Pakistan under the [[Security Assistance Program]] (SAP) as the U.S. Navy's officers served in the faculty of the engineering and technical schools of the Navy.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Carter |first1=Captain Harry |title=The Life and Loves of a United States Naval Aviator |date=2012 |publisher=iUniverse |isbn=9781475950724 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hWgPgTPUKZQC&pg=PA190 |language=en |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213001/https://books.google.com/books?id=hWgPgTPUKZQC&pg=PA190 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|190}}{{self-published inline|date=February 2020}}

In 1966, the [[Pakistan Naval Academy]] was established under the guidance of the [[United States Navy]], and is a premier institution of higher learning whose alumni included the Commanders of the [[Qatar Armed Forces|Royal Qatari Navy]], [[Royal Saudi Navy]], and the [[Sri Lanka Navy]] while other nations naval cadets have also attended the naval academy.<ref name="Pakistan Naval Academy, intro"/>

In 1968, the [[Pakistan Naval War College]] was established in [[Lahore]], whose curriculum is very similar to the [[Naval War College]] in the [[United States]], is a primary military staff college which offers critical thinking techniques and developing ideas for naval warfare to the officers in the army and the air force.<ref>{{cite web |title=Naval War College |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/pnwarcollege.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |date=3 June 2012 |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141602/https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/pnwarcollege.html |archive-date=12 June 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In 1970, the [[Pakistan Navy School of Logistics and Management|School of Logistics and Management]] was established that conducts research on military logistics and management in imparting [[Naval Warfare|naval warfare]] techniques to the military officers serving in the army, air force, and marines departments of the Pakistani military.<ref>{{cite web |title=School of Logistics and Management |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/LMschool.html |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218111551/http://www.paknavy.gov.pk/LMschool.html |archive-date=18 December 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

After the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|1971 war]] with India, the Navy established several schools on strategy, naval warfare, and weapons tactics by commissioning the PNS Bahadur in 1981 as the navy established schools are listed below:

{{mw-datatable}}
{| class="mw-datatable"
|-
! Navy schools and colleges  !! Year of establishment !! School and college principal locations!! Website
|-
|{{small|Naval Polytechnic Institute}} || {{center|{{small|1951}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Naval Polytechnic Institute |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/PNPI/index.html}}}}
|-
| {{small|[[PNS Karsaz]]}} || {{center|{{small|1954}}}} || {{small|[[Karachi]] in [[Sindh]]}} ||{{small|{{cite web|title=PNS Karsaz |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/karsaz.html}}}}
|-
| {{small|[[Pakistan Navy Engineering College|Navy Engineering College]]}} || {{center|{{small|1962}}}} || {{small|[[Karachi]] in [[Sindh]]}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Pakistan Navy Engineering College |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/jauhar.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|Submarine School}} || {{center|{{small|1964}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Submarine School|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/submarine_training.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|[[PNS Iqbal]]}} || {{center|{{small|1967}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} || {{small|{{cite web|title=PNS Iqbal—Naval Special Warfare School|url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent16a0.html?pId=274&rnd=481|access-date=4 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110540/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent16a0.html?pId=274&rnd=481|archive-date=3 January 2019|url-status=dead}}}}
|-
|{{small|[[Pakistan Naval War College|Naval War College]]}} || {{center|{{small|1968}}}} || {{small|[[Lahore]] in [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Naval War College |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/pnwarcollege.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|[[Pakistan Navy School of Logistics and Management|School of Logistics and Management]]}} || {{center|{{small|1970}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}}  || {{small|{{cite web |title=School of Logistics and Management |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/LMschool.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|[[PNS Mehran|School of Aviation]]}} || {{center|{{small|1975}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=School of Aviation |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/mehran.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|PNS Bahadur}}|| {{center|{{small|1980}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=PNS Bahadur|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/bahadur.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|PNS Rahnuma}} || {{center|{{small|1982}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=PNS Rahnuma|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/rahnuma.html}}}}|-
|-
|{{small|Navigation and Operations School}} || {{center|{{small|1981}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Navigation and Operations School|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/bahadur.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|Surface Weapons School}} || {{center|{{small|1981}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Surface Weapons School|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/bahadur.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|Underwater Warfare School}} || {{center|{{small|1981}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Underwater Warfare School|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/bahadur.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|Communications School}} || {{center|{{small|1981}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Communications School|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/bahadur.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|[[Pakistan Navy Hydrographic Department|Navy Hydrography School]]}} || {{center|{{small|1984}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Hydrography School|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/bahadur.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|Navy School of Music}} || {{center|{{small|1993}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=School of Music|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/bahadur.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|Naval Police School}} || {{center|{{small|1997}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Regulating and Provost School|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/bahadur.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|Information Warfare School}} || {{center|{{small|2002}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Information Warfare School|url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/bahadur.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|Naval Special Operation Training Center}} || {{center|{{small|2015}}}} || {{small|[[Nathia Gali]] in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa}} ||{{small|{{cite web |title=Naval STOC|website=[[Facebook]] |url=https://www.facebook.com/SSGNavy/posts/naval-sotc-special-operations-training-centerpakistan-navy-has-set-up-their-own-/816850238370509/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/132405573481649/816850238370509 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited}}{{cbignore}}}}
|-
! Public schooling and universities !! Year of establishment !! School and college principal locations!! Website
|-
|{{small|[[Pakistan Navy School]]}}|| {{center|{{small|1999}}}}||{{small|Karachi in Sindh}} ||
|-
|{{small|[[Bahria University]]}} || {{center|{{small|2000}}}} ||  {{small|Islamabad in Pakistan}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Bahria University |url=http://www.bahria.edu.pk/ |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-date=27 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427170702/http://www.bahria.edu.pk/ |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
| {{small|[[Bahria College Karachi|Bahria College, Nore 1 Karachi]]}} || {{center|{{small|1986}}}} ||{{small|Karachi in Sindh}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Bahria College Karachi|url=http://www.bck.edu.pk/}}}}
|-
|{{small|[[Bahria College Islamabad|Bahria College, Naval Complex Islamabad]]}} || {{center|{{small|1986}}}} ||{{small|Islamabad in Pakistan}}||
|-
|{{small|[[Bahria College Karsaz|Bahria College, Karsaz Karachi]]}} || {{center|{{small|1986}}}} || {{small|Karachi in Sindh}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Bahria College, Karsaz |url=http://bckk.edu.pk/ |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204174426/http://bckk.edu.pk/ |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|[[Cadet College Petaro]]}}|| {{center|{{small|1957}}}}|| {{small|[[Jamshoro District|Jamshoro]] in Sindh}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Petaro |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/patero.html}}}}
|-
|{{small|[[Cadet College Ormara]]}} || {{center|{{small|1987}}}}||{{small|Ormara in Balochistan}} || {{small|{{cite web |title=Cadet College Ormara|url=http://www.ccormara.edu.pk/}}}}
|-
! Higher education institutions !! Year of establishment !! locations!! Website
|-
|{{small|[[National Defence University, Pakistan|National Defense University]]}} || {{center|{{small|1971}}}} || {{small|Islamabad}}||{{small|{{cite web |title=National Defense University |url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent4882.html?pId=292&rnd=496 |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010854/https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent4882.html?pId=292&rnd=496 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=dead }}}}
|-
|{{small|[[National University of Sciences and Technology (Pakistan)|National University of Sciences and Technology]]}} || {{center|{{small|1991}}}} || {{small|Multiple campuses}}||{{small|{{cite web|title=National University of Sciences and Technology|url=http://nust.edu.pk/Pages/Default.aspx|access-date=4 February 2019|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023052641/http://www.nust.edu.pk/Pages/Default.aspx|url-status=dead}}}}
|}

Source: [https://paknavy.gov.pk Pakistan Navy (Official Website)]

[[File:Quaid Block - PNS KARSAZ.jpg|thumb|right|250px|{{small|The [[PNS Karsaz]]—the training facility on [[Machinist's mate|heavy machinery]] was established in 1954.}}]]

Established in 1971, the [[National Defence University, Pakistan|National Defense University]] (NDU) in Islamabad is the most senior and premier institute of higher learning that provides the advance [[critical thinking]] level and research-based [[Military strategy|strategy]] level education to the senior military officers in the Pakistani military.<ref name="auto2">Aqil Shah, The Army and Democracy: Military Politics in Pakistan (Harvard University Press, 2014), pp. 8–9 {{cite book |url=http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674728936 |isbn= 9780674728936 |date=April 2014 |title=The Army and Democracy |first=Aqil |last=Shah |publisher=Harvard University Press |access-date=31 May 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531184004/http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674728936 |archive-date=31 May 2014  }}</ref>{{rp|9–10}} The NDU is a significant institution of higher learning in understanding the institutional norms of military tutelage in Pakistan because it constitutes the "highest learning platform where the military leadership comes together for common instruction", according to thesis written by Pakistani author Aqil Shah.<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014" />{{rp|8}} Without securing their [[graduation]] from their master's program at the NDU, no officer in the Pakistani military can be promoted as general in the army or air force, or admiral in the navy or marines as it is a prerequisite for their promotion to become a senior member at the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee]].<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014" />{{rp|8–9}}

Additionally, the platform provided at the NDU represents a radical shift from the emphasis on operational and staff functions and the level of ranks are imposed as qualification to attend the [[Master's degree|master's program]] at the NDU, usually [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|brigadiers]], [[Air Commodore|air commodores]], and [[Commodore (rank)|commodores]], are invited to given admission in broad range of strategic, political, social, and economic factors as these factors affect the country's national security.<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014" />{{rp|8–9}} In this sense, the NDU becomes the critical thinking institution as its constitutes active-duty senior military officers corps' baptism into a shared ideological framework about the military's appropriate role, status, and behavior in relation to state and society, and shared values affect how these officers perceive and respond to civilian governmental decisions, policies, and political crises.<ref name="auto2"/>{{rp|9–10}} Admission to the NDU is not restricted to military officials, but civilians can also attend and graduate, allowing them to explore the broader aspects of national security.<ref name="Harvard University Press, Shah, 2014">{{cite book |last1=Shah |first1=Aqil |title=The Army and Democracy |date=2014 |publisher=Harvard University Press |location=Cambridge, Mass. U.S. |isbn=9780674728936 |page=380 |edition=1st |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wmyXAwAAQBAJ |language=en-us |format=google books |chapter={{small|§(Marching Toward Martial Law)}} |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213003/https://books.google.com/books?id=wmyXAwAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> {{rp|8–9}}

Established in 1991, the [[National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan|National University of Sciences and Technology]] (NUST) has now absorbed and amalgamated the existing naval engineering college, and is a counterpart institution in [[Science and engineering|science and technology]] to that of the NDU in Islamabad.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Defence University Visit to NUST |url=http://www.nust.edu.pk/News/Pages/National-Defence-University-Visit-to-NUST.aspx |website=www.nust.edu.pk |access-date=21 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232519/http://www.nust.edu.pk/News/Pages/National-Defence-University-Visit-to-NUST.aspx |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Besides the strategic and military education, the Navy leads some marine scientific programs via the [[Pakistan Naval Observatory|Naval Observatory]] while it leads the research on [[hydrography]] by conducting the [[hydrographic survey]] through the [[PNS Behr Paima]], and provides support to the oceanographic program led by the civilian [[National Institute of Oceanography (Pakistan)|National Institute of Oceanography]] (NIO).<ref name="Pakistan Navy Hydrographic Department">{{cite web |title=Pakistan Navy Hydrographic Department |url=https://www.iho.int/mtg_docs/rhc/RSAHC/RSAHC5/RSAHC%205-7.6%20-%20Pakistan%20National%20Report.pdf |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605202049/http://www.iho.int/mtg_docs/rhc/RSAHC/RSAHC5/RSAHC%205-7.6%20-%20Pakistan%20National%20Report.pdf |archive-date=5 June 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

==Naval jack==
{{Main|Jack (flag)}}
[[File:Naval Jack of Pakistan.svg|thumb|220px|{{small|Naval jack of the Pakistan Navy}}]]
[[File:Pn ensign.jpg|thumb|Naval Flag of Pakistan Navy]]

From 1947 to 1956, the Pakistan Navy had stuck with the [[Royal Indian Naval Ensign|Ensign]] of the [[Royal Indian Navy]] that featured the British [[Military colours, standards and guidons|Queen's colors]] and the white flag.<ref name="Lancer International, Singh.1992">{{cite book |last1=Singh. |first1=Satyindra |title=Blueprint to bluewater, the Indian Navy, 1951–65 |date=1992 |publisher=Lancer International |location=New Delhi, India |isbn=9788170621485 |page=548 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8PLeQ8sM06kC |access-date=9 February 2019 |language=en-gb |format=google books |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213012/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Blueprint_to_Bluewater_the_Indian_Navy_1/8PLeQ8sM06kC?hl=en&gbpv=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|264}} The Navy continued the tradition that it inherited from the [[Royal Indian Navy]] and British culture that was common with the [[Royal Navy]] until the American military advisers was attached the guide the Navy on military arts and science under the [[Military Advisory Assistance Group]] by the [[Eisenhower administration]] in 1956.<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011" />{{rp|73}}

Since then, the Navy's tradition and culture is commonly and uniquenly influenced from the [[United States Navy]].<ref name="Seaforth Publishing, Waters, 2011" />{{rp|73}}

After the promulgation of the [[Constitution of Pakistan|Constitution]] in 1956, the Navy gained its independence from the British [[:Category:Organisations based in the United Kingdom with royal patronage|Royal patronage]] and became the federal institution of the armed forces commissioned by the elected [[President of Pakistan]]. The prefix ''Royal'' was permanently removed from the Navy as well as disbanding the British monarch culture and tradition in the Navy.

The [[naval jack]] and the ensign flag of the Navy immediately replaced the [[Monarchy of Pakistan|Queen's]] [[Military colours, standards and guidons|colours]] and the white ensign entirely, instead the dark blue color with the anchor crest of the Navy was adopted while the blue anchor was added in the side of the corner white colored section on the [[Flag of Pakistan|national flag]] of Pakistan. Since then, the naval jack has always flown in the warships of the Pakistan Navy while the naval ensign of the Navy is commonly used by the [[Pakistan Marines]] as their primary war flag.

==Civil society and business activities==
{{Main|Operation Madad (Pakistan Navy)}}
[[File:PNS-Badr-F184.jpg|270px|thumb|left|{{small|{{ship|PNS|Badr|D-184|6}} participating in the relief operations after the [[2005 Kashmir earthquake|earthquake hit the northern]] parts of the country in 2005}}]]
[[File:US Navy 100323-N-0000X-003 Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy Adm. Noman Bashir is greeted by Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command.jpg|thumb|{{small|Adm. [[Noman Bashir|Bashir]] meeting with the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] General [[David Petraeus]], top commander of [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF in Afghanistan]], to initiate peace initiatives and counter-terrorism operations against Taliban forces in Afghanistan in 2010.}}]]

The Pakistan Navy has played an integral part in the civil society of Pakistan, almost since its inception.<ref name="Taylor and Francis-e-Library">{{cite book|last=Mazhar Aziz|title=Military control in Pakistan: the parallel state|year=2008|publisher=Taylor and Francis-e-Library|location=Milton Park, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK|isbn=978-0-415-43743-1|pages=80–81|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tIwXnkZOyoMC&pg=PA81|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213003/https://books.google.com/books?id=tIwXnkZOyoMC&pg=PA81|url-status=live}}</ref>  In 1996, General Jehangir Karamat described Pakistan armed forces' relations with the society:

{{Blockquote|text=In my opinion, if we have to repeat of past events then we must understand that Military leaders can pressure only up to a point. Beyond that their own position starts getting undermined because the military is after all is a mirror image of the civil society from which it is drawn. |sign=General Jehangir Karamat on civil society–military relations<ref name="Taylor and Francis-e-Library"/>}}

In times of national calamities and emergencies, the Pakistan Navy has been deployed in relief operations and nation building programs in the country.<ref>{{cite web |title=Operation Madad |url=https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/opsmadad.htm |website=www.paknavy.gov.pk |access-date=1 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201172403/https://www.paknavy.gov.pk/opsmadad.htm |archive-date=1 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In 2004, a tactical task force under then-[[Commodore (rank)|Commodore]] [[Asif Sandila]] coordinated the peacetime relief operations in [[Maldives]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Indonesia]], and [[Bangladesh]] when the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|underwater earthquake caused a tsunami]] and struck the South Asian nations.<ref name="IRIN, 2004">{{cite news |last1=Staff writer |title=Navy assisting in tsunami relief |url=http://www.irinnews.org/news/2004/12/29/navy-assisting-tsunami-relief |access-date=6 August 2018 |work=IRIN |agency=IRIN |date=29 December 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806115306/http://www.irinnews.org/news/2004/12/29/navy-assisting-tsunami-relief |archive-date=6 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/2005/01/02/top5.htm|title=2 Pakistan Navy ships, C-130s to join rescue work|access-date=24 December 2014|date=2 January 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029203644/http://www.dawn.com/2005/01/02/top5.htm|archive-date=29 October 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/spedition/defence_day_supp_05/p11.html|title=Jang Group Online Defence Day Supplement|access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224165025/http://jang.com.pk/thenews/spedition/defence_day_supp_05/p11.html|archive-date=24 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=91172 |title=PN ships to arrive in Indonesia for relief operation in tsunami-hit areas |access-date=31 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323065531/http://www.paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=91172 |archive-date=23 March 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110614084157/http://pakistantimes.net/2005/01/04/top.htm Quake-Tsunami Devastation: Pakistan Joins Global Task Force for Aid ]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-article&id=3 |title=The role of Pakistan Armed Forces in Bangladesh |access-date=31 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318090424/http://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-article&id=3 |archive-date=18 March 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> In 2005, the Navy deployed the [[PNS Badr (D-184)|PNS ''Badr (D-184)'']] to help assists the relief efforts for the [[2005 Kashmir earthquake|earthquake that struck the northern part]] of the country in October 2005.<ref name="Navy ISPR, History" />

In 2010, the Navy coordinated one of its [[Operation Madad (Pakistan Navy)|largest relief operations]] during the [[2010 Pakistan floods|nationwide flash floods]], with Navy divers rescuing and evacuating more than 352,291 people in August 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pakistannews.com.pk/national/pakistan-flood-disaster/pak-navy-launches-operation-madad-sindh.html/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131116023136/http://pakistannews.com.pk/national/pakistan-flood-disaster/pak-navy-launches-operation-madad-sindh.html/|url-status=dead|title=PAKISTAN NEWS – Information and News Portal|date=16 November 2013|archive-date=16 November 2013|website=archive.is|access-date=18 February 2019}}</ref> In addition, the Navy and Marines personnel provided 43,850&nbsp;kg of food and relief goods to flood victims; 5,700&nbsp;kg of ready-to-cook food, 1,000&nbsp;kg of dates and 5,000&nbsp;kg of food has been dispatched to Sukkur.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=256553&Cat=4&dt=8/16/2010|title=Pakistan Navy continues relief operations|date=16 August 2010|website=The News International, Pakistan|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224163431/http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=256553&Cat=4&dt=8%2F16%2F2010|archive-date=24 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>{{As of|2011|01}}, under the program ''PN Model Village'', the Navy's civil engineering corps built the model houses in the affected areas for the [[internally displaced person]] (IDPs).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onepakistan.com/news/local/karachi/81137-pn-model-village-handed-over-to-idps.html|title=Karachi News|access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009003349/http://www.onepakistan.com/news/local/karachi/81137-pn-model-village-handed-over-to-idps.html|archive-date=9 October 2011}}</ref>

On 10 June 2018, Pakistan Navy and Maritime Security Agency rescued eleven [[Iran]]ian crew members on a sunken Iranian boat in the Northern [[Arabian Sea]], about {{Convert|230|km}} away from [[Karachi]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Pak Navy Sea King Helicopters rescued eleven members on an Iranian Boat |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/327842-pak-navy-helicopters-rescue-11-iranian-crew-members |website=www.thenews.com.pk |access-date=7 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707172512/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/327842-pak-navy-helicopters-rescue-11-iranian-crew-members |archive-date=7 July 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=News on radio.gov.pk |url=http://www.radio.gov.pk/09-06-2018/pakistan-navy-rescues-11-people-on-iranian-boat |website=www.radio.gov.pk |access-date=7 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707172533/http://www.radio.gov.pk/09-06-2018/pakistan-navy-rescues-11-people-on-iranian-boat |archive-date=7 July 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

===Corporate and business activities===
{{Main|Bahria Foundation|Karachi Port Trust|Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC)}}

The Pakistan Navy has the wider commercial and financial interests in the country, and is a forerunner of the [[Bahria Foundation]] ({{lit|Naval Foundation}}).<ref name="Bahria Foundation">{{cite web |title=Bahria Foundation |url=https://www.bahriafoundation.com/ |website=www.bahriafoundation.com |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013172242/http://www.bahriafoundation.com/ |archive-date=13 October 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> From 1996 to 2000, the Navy was a major sponsor of the [[Bahria Town]]– the real estate enterprise – and reportedly received market shares for the use of its name in commercial building projects.<ref name="Dawn Newspaper, Asad, 2018">{{cite news |last1=Asad |first1=Malik |title=Property tycoon loses plea for using Bahria Town as brand name |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1427813 |access-date=4 February 2019 |work=DAWN.COM |agency=Dawn Newspaper |publisher=Dawn Newspaper |date=19 August 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204110700/https://www.dawn.com/news/1427813 |archive-date=4 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In 2002, the Navy filed a civil lawsuit to refrain the [[Bahria Town]] using its name for profiteering – the lawsuit was eventually settled in civil court in favour of Navy in 2018.<ref name="Dawn Newspaper, Asad, 2018"/>

For external billets appointment, the federal government takes the senior leadership of the Navy as secondment to manage the federal institutions such as the [[Karachi Port Trust]], [[Port of Karachi]] and the [[Gwadar Port|Port of Gwadar]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Chairman Profile – Karachi Port Trust {{!}} Karachi Port Trust |url=http://kpt.gov.pk/pages/default.aspx?id=166 |website=kpt.gov.pk |access-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015831/http://kpt.gov.pk/pages/default.aspx?id=166 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pak Navy committed to protecting Gwadar port, CPEC: PM |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/173688-pak-navy-committed-to-protecting-gwadar-port-cpec-pm |access-date=4 February 2019 |work=www.geo.tv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020045/https://www.geo.tv/latest/173688-pak-navy-committed-to-protecting-gwadar-port-cpec-pm |archive-date=7 February 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

==Awards and honours==
{{Main|Awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces}}

===Nishan-e-Haider===
{{Main|Nishan-e-Haider}}{{Gallery||{{small|[[Nishan-e-Haider]]<br />({{lit|Order of Lion}})<br />Nine out of ten Army personnel have been posthumously honored}}|width=180|height=250|align=right|mode=packed|noborder=no}}
In [[Pakistan Military Awards|military awards hierarchy]], the [[Nishan-e-Haider]] ({{lit|Order of Lion Urdu نشان حیدر abbreviated as NH}}) is the highest and the most prestigious honour awarded posthumously for bravery and actions of valor in event of war.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Zajda |first1=Joseph |last2=Tsyrlina-Spady |first2=Tatyana |last3=Lovorn |first3=Michael |title=Globalisation and Historiography of National Leaders: Symbolic Representations in School Textbooks |date=2016 |publisher=Springer |isbn=9789402409758 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fdvJDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA220 |language=en |chapter-format=google books |chapter={{small|(§War Heroes)}} |access-date=5 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213003/https://books.google.com/books?id=fdvJDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA220 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|220}} Established in March 1956 by the [[Constitution of Pakistan|Constitution]], this award is an equivalent to the American [[Medal of Honor]], British [[Victoria Cross]] (VC), Russian [[Order of St. Andrew]], or the French [[Legion of Honour]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Olympiad Champs General Knowledge Class 8 with Past Olympiad Questions |date=2018 |publisher=Disha Experts |isbn=9789388240420 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J-x1DwAAQBAJ |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213035/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Olympiad_Champs_General_Knowledge_Class/J-x1DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|87}} Unlike the American [[Medal of Honor]], the ''[[Nishan-e-Haider]]'' (NH) has only been conferred to those who have been "martyred" and proved their distinguished valor of actions in an event of conflict or war.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Warraich |first1=Haider |title=Auras of the Jinn |date=2010 |publisher=Roli Books Private Limited |location=Karachi, Pakistan |isbn=9789351940036 |page=288 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RZXrBAAAQBAJ |access-date=10 February 2019 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213034/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Auras_of_the_Jinn/RZXrBAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shah |first1=Hussain |title=List of Gallantry Awardees – Navy Officers/CPOs/Sailors |url=http://pakdef.org/list-of-gallantry-awardees-pn-officerscpossailors/ |website=www.pakdef.org |publisher=PakDef Military Consortium |access-date=10 February 2019 |location=Karachi, Sindh, Pak. |language=en-us |date=1 June 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810172213/http://pakdef.org/list-of-gallantry-awardees-pn-officerscpossailors/ |archive-date=10 August 2017 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

Since the commencement of the Navy on 15 August 1947, no naval officer has been honoured or bestowed with the medal. After the [[PNS Mehran attack]] on 22 May 2011, a recommendation was sent by the Prime Minister of Pakistan to the President of Pakistan to posthumously honour Lt. [[Syed Yasir Abbas]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/174936/with-honour-lt-yasir-abbas-laid-to-rest|title=With honour: Lt Yasir Abbas laid to rest|date=24 May 2011|publisher=[[The Express Tribune]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/632061/every-man-dies-not-every-man-really-lives|title=Every man dies, not every man really lives|date=27 May 2011|publisher=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]}}</ref> for his heroic actions during the attack but nothing came of it.<ref name="Nishane-e-Haider, 2011">{{cite news|title=PM recommends Nishan-e-Haider for Shaheed Lt Yasir Abbas |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/614059-pm-recommends-nishan-e-haider-for-shaheed-lt-yasir-abbas|access-date=5 February 2019 |work=www.thenews.com.pk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015050/https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/614059-pm-recommends-nishan-e-haider-for-shaheed-lt-yasir-abbas|archive-date=7 February 2019 |date=25 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="Trib">{{cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/383024/warriors-of-the-waves|title=Warriors of the waves|first=Muhammad Adil|last=Mulki|date=27 May 2012|publisher=[[The Express Tribune]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Pakistan Coast Guards]]
* [[Pakistan Marines]]
* [[Pakistan Naval Academy]]
* [[Pakistan Naval Air Arm]]
* [[Special Service Group (Navy)]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group="Note"}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite web |title=Orbat |website=Naval and Maritime Security Agency Warship Names 1947–2005 |url=http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/pakistan/warshipnames.html |access-date=22 June 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050406184550/http://orbat.com/site/history/historical/pakistan/warshipnames.html |archive-date=6 April 2005 |df=dmy-all}}
{{Refend}}

{{Pakistan Navy}}
{{Pakistan Armed Forces}}
{{Asia topic|Navy of|title=Navies of Asia}}

[[Category:Pakistan Navy| ]]
[[Category:Military of Pakistan|*]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1947]]