The first indigenously built large patrol craft PNS LARKANA was commissioned in January 94. Success of the design of this craft led the Navy into building of additional craft including missile launch capable variants. Two have already been commissioned recently.

Until recently, Pakistan Navy’s MCM forces would not have been able to deal with serious mine threats with only two ex-USN coastal minesweepers and eight type 312 drones to form its mine Warfare forces. But the acquisition of three new French mine hunters has brought a lot of improvement. The first vessel ex-FNS SAGITTAIRE was commissioned as PNS MUNSIF into Pakistan Navy in 1992. The second vessel PNS MUHAFIZ sailed for Karachi in Mar 96. The third vessel assembled by PN Dockyard was commissioned as PNS MUJAHID in 1997.

For replenishment at sea PNS NASR was acquired from Chinese Navy in Aug 87 and another support ship PNS MOAWAIN (Ex HMS POOLSTER) was transferred in Jul 94 from Dutch Navy. Both the ships have underway replenishment capabilities. Other auxiliary forces include two oil barges and two oil tankers built in Karachi between 1984 and 1992, two coastal tankers, two 20 utility craft and one 61 m survey ship.

Although the navy clearly needed to grow, its immediate future was threatened by a reduction in equipment brought about by the Pressler Amendment imposed in 1990. The Pakistan Navy had to return four Brooke (Badr)-class and four Garcia (Saif)-class frigates to the United States at the end of their five-year lease. In addition, one British-made destroyer, the Babur, was retired in 1994. At the same time, all three United States destroyers became fully operational, and an additional six Amazon-class frigates purchased from Britain were to be delivered in late 1994.

The acquisition of an ex-US TENCH class submarine by Pakistan Navy in 1964 was particularly significant, not only because Pakistan became the second country after Indonesia, amongst the Indian Ocean littorals to operate a submarine, but it also brought a new dimension to naval warfare in the Indo-Pakistan context. The submarine actively participated in Indo Pak 1965 war but was lost in 1971 war while deployed on a mine laying operation off the Indian Coast.

Pakistan acquired 4 Daphne and 2 Agosta class submarines from French Navy in early 70s and late 70s respectively. The submarines were modified to fire Harpoon missiles in 1985.

The submarine force is the main strength of the PN Fleet. To strengthen it further Agosta 90 B submarine project was undertaken in early 90s. First of the three submarines PNS/M KHALID has been commissioned and reached Pakistan in 1999. Whereas, the second submarine is being assembled at PN Dockyard from components made in Cherbourg. The third submarine will be built entirely in the country. In addition Pakistan navy also operates four Italian midget submarines. Three submarines have also been indigenously built at PN Dockyard at present.

In 1991 a naval special warfare marine commando unit, with a strength of between 150 and 200 men, was established. Its functions, in addition to hull inspection and special operations, included operating three midget submarines.

The Pakistan Navy has a diverse air arm that enables it to carryout air surveillance and provides ASW/ASV cover over the area of interest. Ever since its inception in the early 70’s, Naval Aviation has progressed to become a highly effective and potent force. The professional competence of PN aviators operating some of the highly advanced platforms is well acknowledged and time tested. Naval Aviation is a force multiplier with its inherent flexibility and advanced weaponry.The main operating base for naval aviation; PNS MEHRAN is located at Karachi. It houses all maintenance facilities, Command HQ’s, and training centers. The aviation base established in the mid seventies is fully equipped and geared to undertake flight operations for a variety of aircraft including helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

On 28 Sep 1974 the first of the six Westland Sea King helicopters was acquired from UK marking the introduction of naval aviation and rotary wing aircraft in the service. III squadron was established for these rotary wing aircraft. PNS MEHRAN was subsequently commissioned as the base for the Naval Air Arm on 26 Sep 75. Rest of these helicopters also arrived in subsequent year.

In 1975 four Atlantic LRMP aircraft were acquired from France marking the introduction of fixed wing aircraft in the service and establishment of 29 Squadron. One plane while on a routine training mission in Aug 1999 was shot down by an Indian Air Force fighter jet in a display of naked Indian aggression.

In 1977 six Alouette helicopters were acquired from France leading to the formation of 333 Squadron. In 1982 Fokker F-27 Aircraft were acquired leading to the formation of 27 Squadron.

In 1994 three Lynx helicopters were acquired from UK leading to the formation of 222 Squadron.

In 1996 three P3-C Orion aircraft were acquired from United States and were inducted into the 28 Squadron of the naval air arm. The delivery of these Long Range Maritime patrol aircraft had earlier been withheld due to the application of the Pressler Amendment in 1990. One of these planes was lost due to an accident while carrying out routine exercises in own coastal waters on 29 Oct 1999.

Pakistan Naval Aviation has been able to keep itself abreast with the changing technology and grew from a fledgling force besieged with seemingly insurmountable problems into a mature professional service of today. In aviation, the professional competence and excellence of aircrew merely depends upon its training standards. To fulfill the requirements of aircrew training, today, by the grace of Allah, the Naval Air Arm has its own Naval Aviation Training School fully equipped to take up this challenge.

The first Naval Air Station, PNS MEHRAN, was commissioned on 26 September 1975 to support Fleet Operations. This base is situated in Karachi, 10 KM from Quaid-e-Azam International Airport. Seaking helicopter was the first machine to fly from this Base. Atlantic and Alouette soon joined the Naval Air Arm. Taking a start in 1975, Naval Aviation has grown to its present inventory of 27 multi role aircraft. The latest addition in the Air Arm is Lynx helicopter and P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol aircraft. In early years of its establishment in 1975, Naval Air Arm depended upon Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army to meet the training requirement of air and ground crew. In April 1988, Naval Aviation Training School (NATS) was established to impart training to air and ground crew of Pakistan Naval Air Arm. The school is also geared to train surface fleet officers and men to meet the various requirements of shipborne flight operations.

Naval Air Station PNS MEHRAN operates multi type aircraft over the blue waters of Indian Ocean. To overcome the survival training of aircrew, PN has been utilizing the available facilities in UK, FRANCE and USA. The ever-growing operations of PN Air Arm demanded regular survival practice, which was only possible with facilities at home. This was the time to cope up with the ever-challenging survival at sea. This necessitated the establishment of an underwater escape training facility. Thus, Pakistan Navy Underwater Escape Trainer was installed within the premises of PNS MEHRAN and was commissioned as PNUET on 31 Oct, 1996. The facility has latest equipment that includes DUNKER, SWET and covered swimming pool. Since then, PNUET is not only fulfilling the training requirement but is regularly conducting refresher courses for the aircrew.