Navy or sea force is the branch of a nation’s armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare and related functions. It includes anything conducted by surface ships, amphibious ships, submarines, and seaborne aviation, as well as ancillary support, communications, training, and other fields.
Navy plays an integral part in the defense of any country.
Pakistan Navy and Indian Navy have crossed paths many times. But what are their power specs, what weapons each force hold, and what number of personnel are operating in each force?
Lets not waste time and delve into a detailed comparison of Naval forces of both India and Pakistan. Keep in mind that this is just a comparison of the assets both the navies hold, we are not endorsing a conflict OR by any mean making assumptions about war.
Comparison between Naval Forces
This comparison is restricted only to the Naval forces i.e. Pakistan Navy & Indian Navy.
Naval Manpower of Pakistan
| Forces | Number |
| Active Soldiers (Active Soldiers refers to military members who are currently serving on full-time status in their military capacity) |
25000 |
| Reservists
(Reservists are not normally kept under arms and their main role is to be available to fight when their military requires additional manpower) |
5000 |
| Marines
(An expeditionary and amphibious warfare branch responsible for providing force projection from the sea, using the mobility of the Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task operations) |
1200 |
| Maritime Security
(Navy-managed and Navy-controlled law enforcement agency whose mission is to provide protection to the maritime interests and enforcement of maritime law) |
2000 |
| Civilian Personnel
(Civilians working in Naval force without a proper commission) |
2500 |
Naval Manpower of India
| Forces | Number |
| Officers | 10,393 |
| Sailors | 71,656 |
Weaponry
Sea weapons are of different breed than land and air. Here is a complete list of weaponry that both countries possess.
Super Carrier
Super carriers are the largest warships in the world, designed for long range, offensive power projection and can deploy over 70 combat aircraft from multiple runways for both blue water control and attacks on enemy ground targets. These are fielded only by United States.
| Pakistan | India |
| 0 | 0 |
Aircraft Carrier
These are large warships capable of deploying conventional takeoff fixed wing aircraft. Various designs specialize in either coastal defense or offensive power projection, and their ability to deploy aircraft at sea makes them a valuable force multiplier for naval strike groups.
| Pakistan | India |
| 0 | 1 |
India possesses a Modified Soviet Kiev Class aircraft carrier.
STOVL/ Helicopter Carriers
Helicopter carriers are usually smaller than conventional carriers. These warships lack a number of vital systems such as arresting gear to deploy conventional fixed wing aircraft. Can accommodate only rotary wing aircraft and in the case of STOVL carriers specialized fighters with vertical landing capabilities. This is a cost effective mean to deploy aircrafts to sea.
| Pakistan | India |
| 0 | 0 |
Destroyers
Large, fast and heavily armed long range warships designed for blue water operations and power projection. Can be equipped for air defense, anti-surface or anti-submarine roles, or a combination of these. These ships are the deadly water defenders.
Read more: Pakistan Army vs Indian Army: Complete list of Weapons they possess
Pakistan
Pakistan Navy, currently, does not own any “Destroyers”.
India
Indian Navy possesses 11 Destroyers.
| Kashin Class | 5 |
| Kolkata Class | 3 |
| Delhi Class | 3 |
Frigates
Frigate is a medium sized warship used primarily to protect other assets such as destroyers or carriers. A less costly means than destroyers to field heavily armed surface battleships.
Pakistan Navy
| Type 053H3 | 4 |
| Oliver Hazard Perry Class | 1 |
| Type 21 | 4 |
Indian Navy
| Shivalik Class | 3 |
| Krivak | 6 |
| Godavari Class | 4 |
Corvettes
Small warships typically under 2,500 tons which fulfil a complementary role to larger frigates and destroyers. Corvettes are restricted on a defensive front because of their short range.
Pakistan Navy
| Pakistan | 0 |
Indian Navy
| Tarantul Class | 8 |
| Kamorta Class | 3 |
| Kora Class | 4 |
| Khukri Class | 4 |
| Abhay Class | 3 |
Attack Submarines
Attack submarines are either nuclear or conventionally powered. Built to prize survivability, and highly effective in engaging enemy surface warships.
Read more: Epitome of Pakistan’s Smart Power: Pakistan Navy
Attack submarine can also engage enemy submarines and ground targets.
Pakistan Navy
| Diesel Attack Submarines | 5 |
| Nuclear Powered Submarines | 0 |
Indian Navy
| Diesel Attack Submarines | 15 |
| Nuclear Powered Submarines | 1 |
Ballistic Missile Submarines
The largest submarine class, equipped with nuclear armed ballistic to provide nuclear powers with a second stage strategic deterrent on marine front.
Pakistan Navy
| Pakistan | 0 |
Indian Navy
| India | 1 |
Naval Support
These naval ships are designed to operate in support of combatant ships and other naval operations. These are not primary combatants, although they may have some limited combat capacity, usually of a self-defense nature.
Pakistan Navy
| Patrol Craft
(Used to defend offshore areas from enemy attacks. Often heavily armed with torpedoes, missiles and other anti-ship weapons systems) |
11 |
| Mine Warfare
(Used to defend offshore areas from enemy attacks. Often heavily armed with torpedoes, missiles and other anti-ship weapons systems) |
3 |
Indian Navy
| Patrol Craft | 139 |
| Mine Warfare | 4 |
The figures have been taken from “Military Watch”.