Germany’s Reluctance To Supply Engines To China for Making Submarines For Pakistan
China commenced a project to construct eight submarines for the Pakistan Navy. Chinese has committed to make eight Yuan class Air Independent Propulsion or AIP submarines for the Pakistan Navy. Four of the submarines are to be built in Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan by CHOC and the other four in Karachi.
China had earlier approached a German firm for the diesel engine for submarines, but the export license does not appear to be forthcoming. If the German firm does not supply the engines, there is trouble ahead for the project. The Pakistan Navy does not appear keen on the Chinese engines available. However with Germany not keen to supply the engines, there is a shadow over the entire multi-billion dollar project.
The dates for the trials have been set, as also the commissioning. The trials for the first submarine was initially slotted for March this year and the second, for July this year. Two more submarines were to be ready for trials in 2022, one each in 2024 and 2025 and finally the last two in 2027. The first two submarines were planned to be commissioned in April and October next year. Two more are planned for 2023, in January and December respectively, after which there are to be four, one each from 2025 to 2028.
But the engines are a problem. One option if the Germans act tough is the engine from the Henan Diesel Shipyard, but the Pakistan Navy wants a superior version, which isn’t ready yet. The two sides are looking at a yard-to-yard meeting next month and China is also upgrading a submarine battery workshop in Pakistan, but the engine is the issue. And as long as it isn’t sorted out, India gets time to increase the number of its submarine and P8Is the submarine hunters.
Indian Navy must have fleet of 24 AIP equipped diesel electric submarine at the earliest and also 48xP8Is. Currently we have just 15x diesel electric submarines and three more under construction. Though the P8I fleet should be touching 18 by end of this year.
Therefore a new submarine line must commence at once along with constructing six more scorpenes. Also we need place order for atleast 12 more P8Is through FMS route.
