Pakistan Navy facts for kids

Naval Flag of Pakistan

The Pakistan Navy (Urdu: پاک بحریہ) is the part of Pakistan's military that protects the country's waters. It guards Pakistan's long coastline, which is about 1,046 kilometers (650 miles) long, along the Arabian Sea. The Navy also keeps important ports safe. It is a strong and reliable force that uses many different types of ships. These include large ships like cruisers and destroyers, as well as submarines that travel underwater. Every year, on September 8, Pakistan celebrates Navy Day. This day remembers the bravery of the Navy during the 1965 war between Pakistan and India.

What the Pakistan Navy Does

The main job of the Pakistan Navy is to protect Pakistan's sea borders. They make sure no one enters Pakistan's waters without permission. They also keep trade routes safe for ships carrying goods. This helps Pakistan's economy grow. The Navy also helps with rescue missions during natural disasters. They can provide aid and support to people affected by floods or earthquakes.

Protecting Pakistan's Seas

The Pakistan Navy works hard to keep the Arabian Sea safe. This sea is very important for Pakistan's trade and security. Naval ships patrol the waters to stop illegal activities. They look out for smugglers and pirates. This ensures that ships can travel safely to and from Pakistan's ports.

Types of Ships and Submarines

The Pakistan Navy uses many different kinds of vessels. Each type has a special role.

• Surface Ships: These include frigates, destroyers, and patrol boats. Frigates are medium-sized warships that can do many jobs. Destroyers are larger and faster, often used for defense against air and submarine attacks. Patrol boats are smaller and faster, used for guarding coastal areas.
• Submarines: These are special ships that can travel completely underwater. They are very important for secret missions and for defending against enemy ships. Pakistan's submarines are equipped with advanced technology. Some can even launch special missiles from underwater.

Navy Day: A Day to Remember

Navy Day is celebrated on September 8 each year. It honors the brave actions of the Pakistan Navy during the 1965 war. On this day, the Navy launched a successful attack on an Indian port. This showed their strength and courage. It is a day to remember the sacrifices made by naval heroes.

Training and Teamwork

The Pakistan Navy trains its sailors and officers very well. They learn many skills at special academies. These include the Pakistan Naval Academy and the Pakistan Navy Engineering College. Sailors learn how to operate ships, use weapons, and work as a team. They also train with navies from other countries. This helps them learn new skills and work together on international missions.

Special Forces: SSGN

The Navy also has a special group called the Navy Special Service Group (SSGN). These are elite commandos who are highly trained for difficult missions. They can operate underwater, on land, and in the air. They work on special operations and protect naval assets.

Images for kids

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  The Royal Indian Navy's rating sailors breaching the Gates of Delhi during the rebellion against the British rule in India in 1857

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  PNS Shamsher visiting Australia in 1951. This ship was given to Pakistan by the Royal Indian Navy in 1947 to be used for training.

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  PNS Badr, a destroyer, visiting Great Britain on a friendly trip in 1957

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  PNS Ghazi during the war in 1965. In 1968, she traveled around Africa and Southern Europe to get repairs in Turkey. She sank in 1971 under mysterious circumstances.

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  Small ship PNS Alamgir in 1947

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  PNS Nazim, which was part of the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam and Korean Wars. She now serves as a floating headquarters for the Maritime Security Agency.

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  PNS Zulfiqar in 1947. This ship was accidentally attacked by Pakistan's own air force because it was mistaken for an enemy ship. She was taken apart for metal in 1983.

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  The Daphné-class submarine PNS Ghazi during Operation Restore Hope in 1991. She was bought from the Portuguese Navy in 1975 and joined the Pakistan Navy in 1977.

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  The Gearing-class PNS Taimur (formerly USS Epperson) was acquired from the United States in 1977. She was sunk as a target during a naval exercise in 2000.

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  The Garcia-class and Brooke-class guided missile destroyers (FFG) being given to Pakistan Navy in 1986. All were returned to the United States in 1993–95 when the lease was not renewed.

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  The Navy's P3C Orion taking a flight in 2010. One of its sister aircraft crashed in 1999, causing loss of lives.

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  PNS Shah Jahan and PNS Tippu Sultan, the Tariq-class guided missile destroyers, taking part in Exercise Inspired Siren in the Indian Ocean in 2002

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  A special operative from the Navy Special Service Group (SSGN) is seen against the setting sun on PNS Babur in the Indian Ocean in 2007.

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  The American Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, looking at Pakistan Navy sailors at the Navy NHQ in Islamabad in 2009

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  The senior leaders of the Navy meeting with the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead at the Navy NHQ in Islamabad.

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  The Navy SSG doing force-protection and underwater training with U.S. Navy SEALs in 2011

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  The Pakistan Marines in their camouflage uniforms, training with United States Marines in Alexandria in 2009.

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  PNS Hamza, an air-independent powered Agosta 90B-class submarine, getting ready for depth tests in 2007. These submarines can launch nuclear-based cruise missiles from underwater.

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  Fast attack missile craft PNS Azmat

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  PNS Larkana patrolling off the Karachi coast in 2009. She is the first ship of the Larkana–class missile boats.

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  PNS Alamgir (formerly USS McInerney), being given to Pakistan Navy on August 31, 2010, at the Naval Station Mayport in Florida

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  TCG Heybeliada in the Mediterranean Sea

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  Chinese Type 054A frigates

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  PNS Hashmat in the Persian Gulf in 2014

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  PNS Hamza, an air-independent-powered Agosta 90B-class submarine, getting ready for depth tests in 2007

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  Yuan class diesel electric submarine

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  PNS Nasr in Colombo Harbour, Sri Lanka in 2017

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  The POF G3P4 is a standard rifle used by the Navy's enlisted personnel in 2009.

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  Pakistan Navy personnel doing a naval interdiction exercise with the U.S. Navy personnel in the Indian Ocean in 2004

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  Commodore Asif Khaliq (left) saluting with officers Cdre. Keith Blount (middle) of RN Cdre. Daryl Bates (right) of RNZN. A Commodore is a high-ranking officer, similar to a Brigadier in the Pakistan Army.

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  US Navy and Pakistan Navy Sailors during a joint exercise

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  The Pakistan Navy's enlisted personnel at the Jinnah's Tomb in Karachi in 2007

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  The graduation of cadets from the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi in 2008. Their training lasts for two years before they become sailors.

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  The campus of the Naval Engineering College (PNEC) in Karachi, Pakistan

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  The PNS Karsaz—a training center for heavy machinery—was started in 1954.

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  Naval Flag of Pakistan Navy

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  PNS Badr helping with relief efforts after the earthquake hit the northern parts of the country in 2005

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  Adm. Bashir meeting with U.S. Army General David Petraeus, a top commander in Afghanistan, to start peace talks and anti-terrorism operations against Taliban forces in Afghanistan in 2010.

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  The Nishan-i-Haidar: As of 2019, no naval officer has received this highest bravery award after their death.