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Chinese Submarine Strategy: China is in charge of bolstering Pakistan’s navy. By providing new submarines and warships, it is bolstering its might. China is building eight submarines for Pakistan as part of this. China and Pakistan have inked a deal for eight Yuan-class air-independent submarines under Project S-26. Four of these eight submarines are being built in China, while the other four are undergoing technology transfer at the Karachi Shipyard. By 2028, all eight submarines must be delivered to Pakistan. The 039B Yuan-class submarine from China is exported as the Honger-class submarine. In 2015, China and Pakistan reached a deal for eight submarines. Between 2022 and 2028, Pakistan was supposed to receive all eight submarines. The third submarine in this project has been turned over to Pakistan, according to the Global Times article.

Desire to use submarines for spying on India

China is gaining more advantages than Pakistan by providing the Pakistani Navy with new submarines. First of all, these vessels will make it simpler for it to maneuver to the Pakistani naval station. Second, it will get strategic strength to manage its port business in Gwadar. The third and most significant benefit for China is the ease with which it may gather information on the Indian sea region using Pakistani submarines. Every submarine has a unique sound signature that allows for identification. The Navy is also monitoring Chinese submarines that are seen in the Indian Ocean area. However, it would be a little difficult to identify Pakistani submarines if China wishes to conduct any kind of surveillance operation via them.

It intends to use an old submarine to accomplish the same goal

China treats India’s three neighbors—Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan—with great kindness. For undersea operations, it has donated its outdated submarines to Bangladesh and Myanmar. Bangladesh has received two Type-035G Ming-class submarines from China. Myanmar has purchased one Type-035B Ming-class submarine from it. Giving submarines to minor nations after they have retired from duty is not a very noble gesture. It does more than only provide its garbage submarines at competitive prices. Two submarines cost Bangladesh 203 million dollars. China is incredibly smart, according to defense analyst Lieutenant General Sanjay Kulkarna. First, it has sold obsolete submarines to Bangladesh and Myanmar, making them reliant on it. Additionally, it has established a permanent route for them to reach their naval base in order to upgrade those junk submarines and address technological issues. Under this premise, it must also be deploying those submarines in the guise of experiments to collect intelligence along the Indian maritime boundary, according to defense analyst Lieutenant General Sanjay Kulkarna.

The reality of the submarine base in Bangladesh

China is primarily assisting Bangladesh in reshaping its military to include submarines, naval vessels, and naval aviation, or a three-dimensional navy. By lending Bangladesh its decommissioned warships and submarines, China is becoming Bangladesh’s greatest friend. China has its sights set on the new Sheikh Hasina submarine base in Bangladesh. China has finished its work and given it to the Bangladesh Navy as well. Over 230 Chinese specialists have arrived at Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina submarine facility for the project, according to intelligence assessments. China sold two of its submarines to Bangladesh in 2016 alone. It goes without saying that Chinese specialists will continue to come in order to make different modifications or modernize the outdated submarines. China is assisting in the construction of this base for Bangladesh’s first submarine, if experts are to be believed. Myanmar purchased a Type-035B Ming-class submarine in 2021 at the same time. China will use the submarine that was delivered to Bangladesh to carry out the same task here as well.