Pak plans to deploy submarines in Bay of Bengal, a first since 1971 bloody nose

Pakistan’s first China-built Hangor-class submarine arrived in Karachi last week, reviving ambitions to re-establish a naval presence in the Bay of Bengal—a region where the country has had minimal influence since its defeat in the 1971 war. The submarine, named after the PNS Hangor that sank India’s INS Khukri in 1971, is part of an eight-vessel deal with China and aims to replace Pakistan’s aging Agosta-class submarines. Senior Pakistani naval officers, including Commodore Omer Farooq, commander of the flotilla escorting the submarine, have stated the vessel will enable Pakistan to maintain operations in the Bay of Bengal. Farooq, speaking in Sri Lanka during a stopover en route from China, called the submarine a 'game changer' and emphasized its role in expanding Pakistan’s reach beyond the Arabian Sea. The Bay of Bengal has long been a strategic stronghold for India, home to its Eastern Naval Command in Vishakhapatnam and key trade routes linking India, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia. Pakistan’s push to operate in the region reflects broader geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific, where naval competition among regional powers is intensifying. Pakistan’s naval presence in the Bay of Bengal would mark a significant shift, given its historical absence since the 1971 conflict, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh and a loss of territory. The move also coincides with improving civilian and military ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, adding complexity to regional dynamics. The Hangor-class submarines, designed for extended patrols, will bolster Pakistan’s ability to project power in the Indian Ocean, challenging India’s dominance in the area. Analysts note this development could escalate tensions, particularly as India strengthens its own naval capabilities in the region.