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Thursday 9 March 2023

The strength of the navy of Pakistan according to the Australia Station Intelligence Summary dated 8 May 1957

An item reported that the personnel strength of the navy of Pakistan numbered around 7,200 men including 700 officers. Especially senior officers were lacking although there was a high potential of junior officers and men needing properly training and led. There were 6 destroyers, 3 frigates, 7 minesweepers, a survey vessel and 4 S.D.B’s avaible although most ships and their equipment were becoming obsolescent. A replacement programme was carried out with requiring from the United Kingdom 4 destroyers and the cruiser HMS Diadem, (1) the latter to be used as training ship. As a prestige item the offsetting of the Indian Navy strength was to be supported. With support of the USA was a small modern minesweeping force to be sut up and shore installations and newly bought destroyers to be modernized.

Note

1. Part of Dido-class light cruisers, preceded by Arethusa-class, succeeded by Fiji-class, laid down by R.&W.Hawthorn, Leslie and Co. Ltd., Hebburn-on-Tyne, England on 15 December 1939, launched on 26 August 1942, completed on 6 January 1944, part of reserve 1950-1956, sold to the Pakistan Navy on 29 February 1956, renamed Babur, commissioned on 5 July 1957 and training ship in 1961.

Source

Website Royal Australian Navy, Sea Power Centre.

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