Aging Fleet, Maintenance Woes, Low Morale: Pakistan Navy Faces Crisis After Op Sindoor

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Last Updated:July 07, 2025, 18:05 IST

Sources said following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's naval fleet has been notably absent from the strategic waters of the Arabian Sea

The Pakistan Navy is facing a deep crisis in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, with an aging fleet, low morale, and limited submarines reflective of the growing strain amid India’s rising naval edge.

Pakistan’s naval fleet has been notably absent from the strategic waters of the Arabian Sea, sources told News18. Open-source reports and maritime tracking data have revealed a troubling pattern – the majority of the navy’s principal surface combatants remain pier-side at Karachi naval base.

Experts have primarily attributed this to limited repair capabilities and shipyard failures, compounded by a leadership crisis and low morale following Operation Sindoor, under which the Indian armed forces struck terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 .

According to sources, Pakistan has only two operational submarines at present, with the rest being inactive and berthed at naval facilities. Not only that, training opportunities in the navy have become increasingly limited as operational vessels remain unavailable for extended periods, the sources said.

The sources said young officers complete their naval academy training only to find themselves assigned to ships that spend months in maintenance status. This has created a generation of naval officers with limited sea-going experience, further undermining operational competence, they said.

Pakistan has also been rescheduling or cancelling its military exercises, even as the Indian Navy has expanded its patrol patterns and exercise schedules while effectively treating Pakistani waters as uncontested space, sources said.

WHY IS THERE A MAINTENANCE LIMBO?

Sources said maintenance delays, unavailability of critical spare parts, and inadequate technical training from manufacturers have hampered Pakistan’s operational readiness.

Here’s why:

An aging fleet lies at the heart of these maintenance woes. Many of Pakistan’s principal surface combatants – Type-21 frigates acquired from the Royal Navy in the 1990s – are operating well beyond their intended service lives. These vessels require frequent and costly maintenance cycles, with spare parts becoming scarce and expensive as original manufacturers have phased out support for legacy systems.
The situation is further complicated by Pakistan’s diversified procurement strategy. This has resulted in a fleet comprising Chinese, Turkish, American, and British-origin vessels.
Due to this, each platform requires specialised maintenance protocols, unique spare parts inventories, and distinct technical expertise. This logistical complexity has overwhelmed the navy’s maintenance infrastructure, creating bottlenecks that keep vessels tied to ports for extended periods.
Chinese-origin vessels present particular challenges. The much-vaunted Type-054A frigates, delivered between 2021 and 2023, have experienced recurring technical issues with their radar systems and propulsion plants, requiring frequent returns to shipyard facilities.
Financial constraints have exacerbated the maintenance crisis. The shipyard’s limitations became apparent during recent attempts to service the Type-054A frigates. These Chinese-origin vessels require specialised diagnostic equipment and proprietary software that the Karachi shipyard lacks.
Attempts to establish repair partnerships with Chinese firms have been hampered by technology transfer restrictions and exorbitant costs, leaving many vessels in an extended maintenance limbo.

WHAT ARE THE STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS?

Sources further said the Pakistan Navy’s current operational limitations have strategic implications for regional security dynamics.

Here’s why:

The neighbouring country’s inability to maintain a credible naval presence in the Arabian Sea creates a vacuum. The Indian Navy has, therefore, expanded its patrol patterns and exercise schedules, effectively treating Pakistani waters as uncontested space.
Chinese investments in Gwadar Port and associated infrastructure lose much of their strategic value if Pakistan cannot provide adequate naval security.
The situation also affects Pakistan’s relationship with its allies and partners. Scheduled multilateral exercises have been postponed or cancelled due to vessel unavailability, damaging its reputation as a reliable naval partner.

Akash Sharma

Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experience coverin...Read More

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Islamabad, Pakistan

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