Israel and Pakistan Acquire Submarine Fleet for Second Strike Capability

[Riaz Haq]

Israel does not trust Iran just as Pakistan does not trust India. While Israel is preparing for eventual nuclear-armed Iran in the future, Pakistan is threatened by India's growing nuclear triad and atomic arsenal today. So what are Israel and Pakistan doing to deter potential nuclear attacks by their regional rivals? They are both building sea-based nuclear second strike capability with diesel-electric submarines equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP).


Israel's Submarine Fleet:

Israel has just taken delivery of the 5th of 6 Dolphin II class AIP-equipped submarines built by Germany. More than 225 feet long, the diesel-electric Dolphin II class is part attack submarine, part nuclear strike ship and part commando taxi.  Each sub has 10 tubes. Four of these tubes are larger 26-inch tubes—the size is rare for a Western-built submarine—capable of launching small commando teams or firing larger nuclear-capable cruise missiles. The remaining six tubes measure at 21 inches, according to Real Clear Defense.

Israel's German-built Dolphin Class AIP Sub

Several German defense ministry officials interviewed by German news magazine Der Spiegel believe that Israel intends for these submarines to carry nuclear weapons. The missiles can also be launched “using a previously secret hydraulic ejection system,” the magazine reported.

Diesel-Electric AIP Vs Nuclear-Powered Subs:

A key requirement for submarines is to be stealthy—and the Dolphin II is indeed very quiet. The trick is in the submarine’s air-independent propulsion fuel cells, which provide power under the surface as the diesel engines—used for running on the surface—rest and recharge.

This system is quieter than the nuclear-powered engines on American and Russian submarines, which must constantly circulate engine coolant. Nuclear submarines are virtually unlimited in terms of range, and are better used for deep-water operations. But Israel has no need for nuclear-powered subs when quiet diesel subs can do the same job, according to Real Clear Defense.


Pakistan's AIP Submarine Fleet:

The details of Pakistan's planned submarine fleet are not clear yet. However, Pakistan too is acquiring a fleet of AIP-equipped diesel-electric submarines.

Pakistan Navy operates a fleet of five diesel-electric submarines and three MG110 miniature submarines (SSI). The nucleus of the fleet includes two Agosta-70 and three modern Agosta-90B submarines. Pakistan's third Agosta-90B, the S 139 Hamza, was constructed indigenously and features the DCNS MESMA (Module d'EnergieSous-Marin Autonome) air-independent propulsion (AIP) system. Pakistan retrofitted the two earlier Agosta-90B vessels with the MESMA AIP propulsion system when they underwent overhaul in 2011, according to Nuclear Threat Initiative.

Model of Chinese-made S20 Sub Ordered by Pakistan

Pakistan is expanding and modernizing its underwater fleet with 8 additional AIP-equipped submarines ordered from China. Whether the Chinese submarines are the S-20 export derivative of the Type-039A/Type-041 Yuan-class submarine, or a bespoke design, is unclear. But the Yuan has also been mentioned, and according to government officials. If the deal transpires, it will be the largest ever Sino-Pakistani deal. Mansoor Ahmed of Quaid-e-Azam University's Department of Defense and Strategic Studies, believes the submarines will each cost $ 250 million to $325 million.

Mansoor Ahmed told Defense News that AIP-equipped conventional submarines "provide reliable second strike platforms, [and] an assured capability resides with [nuclear-powered attack and nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines], which are technically very complex and challenging to construct and operate compared to SSKs, and also very capital intensive."

Balance of Terror as Deterrence:

Let's hope that nuclear deterrence works and the world never again sees the use of the growing stockpile of nukes in South Asia, the Middle East or anywhere else. Here's the full video of a recent interview with Pakistan's General Khalid Kidawi on Pakistan 2nd strike capability:

https://youtu.be/CNZCw0BXKyE





I think senior American analyst and South Asia watcher Stephen Cohen summed up the current situation in South Asia when he said: "The alphabet agencies—ISI, RAW, and so forth—are often the chosen instrument of state policy when there is a conventional (and now a nuclear) balance of power, and the diplomatic route seems barren."

I see little likelihood of full-scale war between India and Pakistan. The best way for the two nuclear armed neighbors to proceed is sustained diplomatic engagement to resolve all outstanding issues including Kashmir. If the diplomatic route remains barren, there will be continuation of covert and proxy wars in the region.

Related Links:

Haq's Musings

Pakistan's Second Strike Capability

Pakistan's Shaheen 3 Can Hit Deep Inside India and Israel

Pakistan Building Nuclear Submarine?

India's Israel Envy

Pakistan Space Program

Revolution in Military Affairs

Pakistan Defense Production Goes High-Tech

Drones Outrage and Inspire Pakistanis

RMA Status in Pakistan

Cyber Wars in South Asia

Pakistan's Biggest Ever Arms Bazar

Genomics and Biotech Advances in Pakistan

India's Israel Envy: What if Modi Attacks Pakistan

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Kerry Challenges Modi With Hard Evidence

[Riaz Haq]

Pakistan PM Sharif, Turkish President Erdogan jointly inaugurate new warship for Pakistani Navy - The Hindu

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-pm-sharif-turk...

In response to a question about increased defence cooperation between the two nations, Mr. Niazi noted: "Both militaries are continuously exchanging knowledge and expertise. Construction and upgradation projects such as 17,000 tonne Fleet Tanker, PN-MILGEM and Agosta 90B submarines, Super Mushak trainers, UAV drones, and so on are evidence of this strong friendship and military cooperation." Under the bilateral project, Turkey was tasked to build four corvette warships for the Pakistan Navy — two in Istanbul and two in Karachi.

The first corvette warship for the Pakistan Navy known as PNS Babar was launched in Istanbul in August 2021 while the foundation stone for the second ship PNS Badr was laid in Karachi in May 2022, another report on the inauguration ceremony by the Dawn newspaper said.

Mr. Sharif during the inauguration informed that the fourth warship would be delivered in February 2025.

The new warships have a length of 99 metres, a displacement capacity of 2,400 tonnes, and a speed of 29 nautical miles.

[Riaz Haq]

India Wasting Money on Nuclear Submarines, No need to Compete with Indian Navy : Pakistan Navy Commodore (R) – Indian Defence Research Wing

https://idrw.org/pakistan-navy-commodore-r-rules-out-development-of...


Ex-Commodore Sajid Mahmood Shahzad says Pakistan Navy has Babur cruise missiles that can be launched from Pakistani diesel-electric submarines as a deterrent.

[Riaz Haq]

PakDefOSINT
@PakDefTeam
The LABGENE (Laboratório de Geração de Energia Nucleoelétrica) is the Brazilian Navy’s full-scale, land-based prototype for nuclear propulsion, situated at the Navy Technological Centre in São Paulo (CTMSP) and the Aramar facility in Iperó. As part of the Navy Nuclear Program (PNM), LABGENE replicates the nuclear plant of the future nuclear submarine, Álvaro Alberto, comprising primary reactor systems, steam generators, turbogenerators, and a dynamometric brake that simulates the actual submarine shaft resistance.

In collaboration with Nuclep, the Navy Directorate for Nuclear and Technological Development (DDNM), and CTMSP, LABGENE assembles, tests, and validates key reactor components, such as heat exchangers, accumulator vessels, containment tanks, and control instrumentation.

Beyond submarine propulsion, LABGENE stimulates broader industrial and scientific advancement in areas like uranium fuel cycle mastery and civilian nuclear R&D Now in advanced stages of assembly and equipment delivery, it's a cornerstone of Brazil’s strategic goal to commission its first nuclear-powered submarine by the early 2030s.

Under the recent Brazil–Pakistan defense cooperation MoU signed at LAAD‑2025 in Rio de Janeiro, both nations have opened a channel to deepen technological and industrial collaboration, potentially extending across their naval nuclear ambitions. If both countries elect to extend their MoU into naval nuclear cooperation, they could share best practices on reactor safety, low-enriched uranium fuel cycles, and crew training methodologies. Brazil’s lab‑scale facilities and training modules—already designed for the Álvaro Alberto submarine—could complement Pakistan’s hands‑on experience with propulsion systems, accelerating Pakistan’s path toward its own nuclear‑powered submarine. Technical exchanges might cover reactor instrumentation, fuel pellet manufacturing, land‑based reactor testing, and even joint R&D. Operational collaboration of this kind could also enhance nonproliferation assurances: Brazil’s use of low‑enriched uranium (LEU) under IAEA safeguards and Pakistan’s adherence to peaceful propulsion goals would help ensure transparent development and bolster legitimacy in the naval nuclear domain.

Model of SSN Alvaro Alberto

https://x.com/PakDefTeam/status/1940818576270614789