ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is undertaking significant military infrastructureenhancements in the Sir Creek region, with a particular focus on bolsteringits air defence architecture along the adjacent Makran coast, according tohigh-level sources familiar with the developments. This strategicreorganisation comes amid longstanding tensions over the disputed maritimeboundary and follows recent regional security dynamics, raising questionsabout potential implications for stability in the Arabian Sea area. Theinitiative reportedly includes the deployment of a sophisticated, denselylayered radar network designed to provide comprehensive aerial monitoringand early warning capabilities.
The core of this buildup involves the integration of advanced radar systemssourced from both American and Chinese origins, creating a multi-tiereddefence umbrella with overlapping coverage. Short-range radars handleclose-in threats, while medium-range systems extend protection tointermediate distances, and long-range installations offer detection andtracking up to an impressive 1,000 kilometres. This layered approach aimsto address diverse aerial challenges, from low-flying intrusions tohigh-altitude surveillance, thereby enhancing overall situational awarenessalong Pakistan’s southern coastline.
Experts note that the Makran coast, stretching across Balochistan province,holds vital strategic importance due to its proximity to key maritimeroutes and proximity to the disputed Sir Creek estuary. The area’s ruggedterrain and extended shoreline make it ideal for establishing dispersedradar sites that can form an interconnected network. Sources indicate thatthis dense configuration reduces vulnerabilities by ensuring redundancy,allowing continuous monitoring even if individual units face technicalissues or external interference.
The incorporation of dual-origin technology underscores Pakistan’spragmatic procurement strategy in defence modernisation. Chinese systems,such as variants of surveillance radars compatible with HQ-9 and LY-80 airdefence batteries, provide robust long-range detection capabilities withanti-stealth features. Meanwhile, American-origin radars contributecomplementary strengths in electronic warfare resistance and integrationflexibility. This hybrid model reflects efforts to balance geopoliticaldependencies while maximising operational effectiveness in aresource-constrained environment.
Recent reports highlight that this air defence reorganisation forms part ofa broader military reorientation in the Sir Creek vicinity, including theestablishment of new marine units and supporting infrastructure. A newlyraised marine brigade, comprising approximately 3,000 personnel, ispositioned to complement the radar network, potentially enabling rapidresponse to maritime threats. Such developments are viewed as defensivemeasures aimed at safeguarding critical economic assets, including portsand energy installations along the coast.
The Sir Creek dispute, unresolved since the partition era, involvesdiffering interpretations of the maritime boundary in a marshy estuary thatimpacts exclusive economic zones and resource rights. While dialogue hasoccurred intermittently, no final resolution has been achieved,contributing to periodic military posturing by both sides. The currentinfrastructure push on the Pakistani side is interpreted by some observersas a response to perceived vulnerabilities exposed in prior regionalcontingencies.
Strategic analysts point out that a 1,000-kilometre detection range wouldenable coverage well beyond immediate coastal waters, potentiallyoverlapping with adjacent international airspace and sea lanes. Thisextended reach could serve dual purposes: deterring aerial incursions andproviding valuable intelligence for naval operations in the Arabian Sea.However, the integration of heterogeneous systems poses technicalchallenges, including data fusion, command-and-control interoperability,and maintenance logistics across different technological standards.
Pakistan’s armed forces have increasingly emphasised network-centricwarfare in recent years, with investments in datalinks and command systemsto unify disparate platforms. The Makran radar network aligns with thisdoctrine, facilitating seamless information sharing between air defenceunits, naval assets, and air force elements. Such advancements are seen asessential in countering evolving threats like unmanned aerial vehicles,cruise missiles, and stealth aircraft increasingly prevalent in modernconflicts.
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The developments have drawn attention from regional stakeholders,particularly given the strategic significance of the Makran coast forChina’s Belt and Road Initiative projects, including the Gwadar port. WhilePakistan maintains that these measures are purely defensive and aimed atnational security, they contribute to the broader discourse on militarybalance in South Asia. Observers anticipate that this buildup may influencefuture confidence-building measures between neighbours.
Overall, the reported enhancements represent a calculated step inPakistan’s long-term defence posture, prioritising integrated airsurveillance to protect vital southern frontiers. As regional dynamicsevolve, the effectiveness of this layered radar architecture will depend onsustained operational readiness, technological upgrades, and diplomaticefforts to mitigate underlying tensions.
Source:https://www.timesnownews.com/world/pakistan-preparing-for-major-military-push-in-sir-creek-submarines-missiles-drones-in-play-article-153436286
Tags: Pakistan, Sir Creek, Makran Coast, Air Defence Radar, Chinese Systems
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