China’s military hardware export to Pak will affect region’s security dynamics: Navy chief

Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh said that India has to be prepared and they they are keeping a close watch on the activities

Navy officials at the commissioning of INS Vela, a scorpene class submarine. Credit: PTI Photo

India is closely monitoring the defence cooperation between neighbours China and Pakistan, Indian Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh said on Thursday.

"We are closely monitoring the defence cooperation between China and Pakistan. The recent procurements by Pakistan from China may change the security dynamics, so we need to remain cautious and prepared," Admiral Singh said, after commissioning INS Vela, the fourth Scorpene-class submarine in Mumbai.

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According to him, China is exporting a lot of military hardware like ships and submarines to Pakistan. “The preparedness has to be maintained,” he said.

The response of the Chief of Naval Staff came when during a media interaction he was asked about China delivering Pakistan its largest and most advanced warship earlier this month.

Designed and built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), the frigate was delivered to the Pakistan Navy in a commissioning ceremony in Shanghai - and the Type 054A/P frigate was named the PNS Tughril.

Often dubbed as the all-weather ally of Pakistan, China has been beefing up its presence in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean in the recent years. Navy sources, however, said there have been no operations either by the Chinese Navy or research vessels in India's Exclusive Economic Zone since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic last year.

In response to another question on Chinese Navy activities in the Indian Ocean Region, Admiral Singh said it has been operating in the Gulf of Aden since 2008 for anti-piracy patrols.

“We have had their submarines coming in (in the IOR) at regular intervals in the past. As of now, most of the Chinese activities are centred around their research vessel, their intelligence gathering and their survey vessels. We are monitoring that very carefully,” the navy chief said.

He noted that the P8i maritime reconnaissance anti-submarine patrol aircraft has been a force-multiplier for India, along with the Sea Guardian drones, leased from the US. The P8is and Sea Guardians have been keeping a close watch in the Indian Ocean Region because of their reach and their ability to sustain in an area for a long time, he said.

With PTI inputs

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