2022 - A2/AD IN THE NORTH ARABIAN SEA

摘要

Shifting alignments the in In-do-Asia-Pacific could lead to conflict. The following scenario describes how such a conflict might be ignited. Though still trying for a balancing act, Pakistan finds itself closer to Tehran and Beijing than to Washington, since the latter appears to have chosen India as a strategic partner. Pakistan's naval bases along the Pakistani coast at Gwadar and Ormara now fully support logistics and maintenance facilities for Pakistan Navy ships, submarines, and aircraft. The navy has incorporated eight new Chinese-built air-independent propulsion (AIP) Yuan-class diesel submarines. Four newer variants of the Sword-class frigate with improved sensors and advanced surface-to-air missiles have also joined the Pakistan Navy, as well as several Chinese-made Houbei-class stealth missile boats.