Costly Blunder: Pakistan Navy's Dependence on Faulty Chinese Warships Endangers Maritime Security

As Pakistan seeks to bolster its maritime strength in response to India's growing naval capabilities, its strategy of heavily investing in Chinese-built naval platforms has increasingly come under scrutiny. Despite a whopping 20% increase in its defence budget for 2025-26, even amidst major economic struggles, Pakistan's expensive acquisitions from China have consistently failed to deliver operational reliability and combat effectiveness. Experts warn that this costly dependence not only undermines Pakistan's maritime security but also poses broader strategic risks to regional stability.

At the heart of Pakistan's naval procurement woes lie significant deals with China-particularly involving the much-publicised Hangor-class submarines and Type 054A/P frigates. Despite allocating roughly $5 billion toward the Hangor submarine programme alone, the Pakistan Navy faces persistent delays, technological shortfalls, and questionable operational performance. Senior defence and security officials note privately, "These Chinese-built vessels, although presented as state-of-the-art platforms, repeatedly fail to meet basic operational standards in actual conditions. The Pakistan Navy is increasingly frustrated by these costly but ineffective procurements."

Pakistan's experience with Chinese naval equipment has historically been troubled. The earlier acquisition of the F-22P Zulfiquar-class frigates, sold by China amid significant fanfare, has turned into a long-term headache due to defective onboard missile systems. Senior sources from the security establishment highlight that the FM-90N missile system installed aboard these frigates has repeatedly malfunctioned due to flawed imaging technology, rendering the frigates largely ineffective in real combat scenarios. Attempts to rectify these defects have been complicated by poor after-sales support and slow maintenance responses from Chinese manufacturers, forcing the Pakistan Navy to operate warships with significantly reduced capabilities.

These issues are not unique to Pakistan. Other nations purchasing Chinese naval equipment have faced similar frustrations. Bangladesh found its Ming-class submarines rapidly turning into maintenance burdens rather than strategic assets due to outdated technology and expensive upkeep. Sri Lanka, gifted a P625 frigate by China, reported frequent breakdowns and operational unreliability. Even Thailand's proposed acquisition of Yuan-class submarines collapsed when Germany refused to provide engines, exposing China's heavy dependence on critical foreign technology.

Analysts assert that Pakistan's reliance on Chinese platforms-accounting for over 80% of its military imports-creates deep strategic vulnerabilities. A senior defence official stated candidly, "With unreliable Chinese vessels dominating their fleet, the Pakistan Navy risks paralysis in critical situations. Rather than strengthening maritime defences, these procurements are becoming strategic liabilities."

This flawed procurement strategy starkly contrasts with India's naval approach. India's focus on indigenous shipbuilding and advanced technology partnerships, including domestically built platforms such as the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and Kalvari-class submarines, offers superior reliability and autonomy. India's proven operational capability starkly contrasts with Pakistan's increasingly evident maritime vulnerabilities.

Experts caution that unless Islamabad urgently corrects its procurement trajectory and reduces its over-reliance on problematic Chinese technology, it faces severe strategic consequences. "Pakistan is currently trapped in a cycle of buying expensive naval hardware that looks impressive on paper but fails in practice," warned a senior strategic affairs analyst. "If it continues this misguided course, its navy will become little more than a costly illusion-unable to safeguard its maritime security effectively."

Pakistan's ongoing dependence on unreliable Chinese naval equipment is more than just a financial misstep. It constitutes a serious strategic error, threatening to weaken maritime security and leaving Pakistan increasingly vulnerable in a region where maritime power decisively shapes strategic outcomes.