A major claim has emerged about a possible strategic deal between Pakistan and China. According to US-based independent media outlet Drop Site News, Pakistan asked China for nuclear submarines. The report said Pakistan wanted submarines with second-strike capability. In return, Pakistan stood ready to let China use Gwadar Port like a permanent military base. The report also claimed this information came from a review of Pakistan’s confidential military documents.
What Second-Strike Capability Means
Second-strike capability gives a country power to respond after an enemy’s first nuclear attack. This ability usually depends on nuclear submarines with ballistic missiles. Such submarines, known as SSBNs, hide deep inside the sea. Therefore, they can survive an enemy strike and later launch a nuclear response.
2024 Military Talks Raised The Demand
According to the report, Pakistan placed this demand during military talks with China in 2024. At that time, then Army Chief General Asim Munir led Pakistan’s side. The report said Pakistan assured China about Gwadar Port access. It offered to develop Gwadar as a permanent military base for the Chinese military. In exchange, Pakistan asked for submarines with nuclear capability.
If Pakistan gained this power, it would acquire a nuclear triad. That means Pakistan could launch nuclear attacks through land, air, and sea. However, the report said China found this demand unreasonable. As a result, the talks could not move forward.
China’s Role In Pakistan’s Nuclear Growth
The report said China helped Pakistan build its nuclear programme during the 1970s and 1980s. It also said China supplied highly enriched uranium to Pakistan. Additionally, China provided nuclear weapon designs and later M-11 ballistic missiles. Through these weapons and technologies, Pakistan developed nuclear attack capability from land and air.
Pakistan’s Push For Sea-Based Nuclear Power
However, Pakistan lacked sea-based nuclear attack capability for a long time. In 2017, Pakistan claimed a successful test of a submarine-launched cruise missile. Experts, however, considered that capability at an early stage. In 2014, Pakistan signed a major deal with China for eight Hangor-class submarines. Reports considered some of these submarines capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The first submarine, PNS Hangor, entered service this year in China’s Sanya.
Balancing China And America
The report also said Pakistan has tried to balance China and America strategically in recent years. During General Bajwa’s period, Pakistan moved closer to China and the CPEC project. Meanwhile, under Asim Munir, Pakistan worked to improve relations with America. However, the report claimed Pakistan still remained ready for major strategic deals with China till 2024. Yet, its conditions could not materialise.
