ON THE OCCASION OF GOLDEN JUBILEE-PAKISTAN NAVY SUBMARINE FORCE GOLDEN JUBILE. JUNE 1, 2014 (2014-05)

The year 2014 marks the Golden Jubilee-Pakistan Navy Submarine Force, thus a glorious landmark is achieved in a journey paved with sacrifices, valour, commitment and professionalism of highest order. Pakistan Navy's submarine arm has maintained great fighting tradition and created a name for itself in the combat.

Pakistan Navy made a very modest beginning in 1947 when only a few old ships were transferred to it from Royal Indian Navy. Soon it was realized that in order to have an effective deterrence capability against any potential aggressor, the Navy should acquire a submarine arm. It was on 1st June 1964 that the Navy acquired the first submarine "PNS/M GHAZI" (ex-US Navy "Fleet" class submarine of World War II vintage). The presence of Ghazi in Indian Ocean kept the Indian Navy confined to its harbour during 1965 war. Due to this heroic action by PNS/M GHAZI and fully realizing the immense deterrence potential that a submarine possesses, PN decided to build a full-fledged Submarine Force. Pakistan Navy acquired three "Daphne" class submarines from France and these Submarines joined PN Fleet in 1669-70. These submarines were named HANGOR, SHUSHUK & MANGRO.

These submarines proved their worth during the 1971 war, when PNS/M HANGOR sank the Indian Navy Frigate INS KHUKRI and damaged another. That was the first occasion after the Second World War when a submarine sank a warship. Later on, one more "Daphne" class submarine named GHAZI joined PN Fleet in 1977.

These exploits of submarine in action propelled the need for further expansion of submarine squadron. Pakistan Navy purchased two "Agosta 70" class submarines in 1978 and subsequently they were commissioned as HASHMAT and HURMAT in 1979 and 1980 respectively. The contract of three Agosta 90B Submarines was signed in 1994. First submarine (KHALID) was built in France and commissioned in 1999, second (SAAD) was constructed in Pakistan and commissioned in 2003. The third submarine (HAMZA) and the first with MESMA AIP was constructed in Pakistan and commissioned in 2008.

Presently, PN Submarine Force is well equipped with state of the art weapons, sensors and machinery; comprises men of exceptional talent, competence and commitment to defend our Motherland. PN Submarine Force has always been the potent arm of Pakistan Navy since its inception and will continue to be so in the years to come.

On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee-Pakistan Navy Submarine Force, a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 10/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on June 1, 2014.