Op Sindoor Deepens Doubts About Pak's Submarine Capabilities

The operational limitations of Pakistan's submarines profoundly affect its strategic deterrence.

- Ashish Singh

Although the Pakistan Navy touts the Babur-3 submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM) as a cornerstone of its second-strike capability, independent analysts contest its official range of 450 km, suggesting an effective operational range closer to 250 km. This drastically limits strategic utility against inland Indian targets, compromising Pakistan's deterrence posture.

Moreover, diesel-electric Agosta submarines have limited underwater endurance, typically measured in days rather than the months achievable by nuclear-powered submarines. While the forthcoming Hangor-class could partially mitigate these limitations with improved stealth and endurance, delays in fully operationalising these submarines—and integrating Babur-3 missiles—push Pakistan's credible nuclear deterrence further into oblivion, undermining its capabilities despite its assurances.

Strategic and Doctrinal Adjustments: Attempting Course Correction In response to the major embarrassment sustained by the Pakistan Navy in Operation Sindoor, Islamabad is reportedly initiating strategic recalibrations. Their navy has emphasized the importance of the Hangor-class submarines, highlighting their anticipated capability to "execute a wider range of operations effectively." Simultaneously, the navy intensified coastal defence drills in June 2025, deploying anti-submarine warfare (ASW) assets, notably P-3C Orion aircraft and seabed hydrophone networks, to demonstrate a renewed emphasis on protecting critical maritime infrastructure, such as Gwadar and Ormara.

Yet, despite these tactical shifts, Pakistan's maritime doctrine remains exceptionally wanting. Military commentators, including retired Commander Muhammad Azam Khan, call for overcoming the strategic "sea-blindness" by advocating stronger naval alliances, particularly with China, to counterbalance India's growing maritime dominance.