Pakistan Navy crippled after Operation Sindoor: How it gives India unmatched control in the Indian Ocean

As per sources quoted by News18, the majority of Pakistan’s principal surface combatants, including its key Type-21 frigates and recently inducted Chinese Type-054A vessels, are stuck pier-side, suffering from serious technical issues and lack of maintenance support.

Aging fleet: Type-21 frigates acquired from the UK in the 1990s have far outlived their effective operational lifespan, with original manufacturers ceasing support.

Diverse platforms, divergent headaches: Pakistan’s navy consists of vessels sourced from British, American, Turkish, and Chinese suppliers, each requiring unique parts, training, and repair regimes – something the overstretched Karachi shipyard cannot handle.

China’s vessels not so battle-ready: The so-called pride of Pakistan’s recent acquisitions, the Chinese-made Type-054A frigates, have reportedly suffered recurring issues in radar and propulsion systems.

Training collapse: New officers graduate only to be posted on non-operational ships, diminishing real-world experience and morale.

Submarine scarcity: With just two subs active, Pakistan's undersea warfare capabilities are dangerously limited.

All these factors, News18 notes, have rendered Pakistan largely absent from the Arabian Sea, making it incapable of challenging even basic peacetime patrols conducted by the Indian Navy.

Leadership vacuum and low morale

Beyond the technical issues, there is also a leadership and morale crisis within Pakistan’s navy, News18 highlights. With fewer active deployments and reduced opportunities to engage in regional or international exercises, young officers lack operational exposure, eroding combat readiness and morale. The situation is so dire that some planned naval drills have either been rescheduled or cancelled altogether.

Why it’s an advantage for India

This operational collapse has significant strategic consequences, especially in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, where India demonstrated its ability to strike terror hubs deep inside Pakistani territory with precision.

According to News18, the Indian Navy has increased its patrol frequency and now operates with near-complete freedom in waters once actively contested by Pakistan. This not only boosts India’s maritime deterrence but also allows it to project naval power more confidently across the Arabian Sea.

Moreover, the inability of the Pakistan Navy to secure maritime corridors weakens China's long-term strategic interests in Gwadar Port, a critical node in Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). If Pakistan cannot ensure naval security around Gwadar, its utility as a commercial or strategic port for China is seriously undermined.

Pakistan’s fallout with allies

The Navy’s crisis has also damaged Pakistan’s credibility among its military partners, as News18 reports. Multilateral naval exercises have been repeatedly postponed or cancelled due to the lack of available vessels. This signals to Pakistan’s allies, and adversaries, that it is no longer a reliable naval player in the region.

The post-Sindoor collapse of the Pakistan Navy underscores not only the military effectiveness of India’s cross-border strikes, but also Pakistan’s inability to sustain a modern, credible maritime deterrent. With only two functional submarines, an inoperable surface fleet, and dwindling training opportunities, Islamabad is now facing one of the most severe maritime readiness crises in its history.

Meanwhile, India has turned the tide, asserting naval dominance and undermining Pakistan’s ability to protect key strategic assets like Gwadar. The Arabian Sea, long a contested zone, is now increasingly falling under India’s operational purview, with Pakistan left floundering at the docks.