'Good luck to Pakistan, they chose weapons over welfare': Indian Navy Chief

New Delhi: “Good luck to them. They have chosen weapons over people’s welfare,” said Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi when asked about Pakistan’s ambitious plan to become a 50 ship force by the next decade.

“We are aware of the surprising growth of the Pakistan Navy. They aim to become a 50 ship force by the next decade. Seeing their economy, it is surprising they were building so many ships and submarines,” the Chief of the Naval Staff said here on Monday at a press conference ahead of the Navy Day.

“They have decided to choose weapons over the welfare of their people. So good luck to them," he said.

The Pakistan Navy has announced plans to add 50 more vessels – including 20 major warships - to its fleet with Chinese support while also buying a few ships from Turkiye and Romania for some of the vessels. Islamabad also plans to build the first indigenous Jinnah class frigates.

“These ships and submarines are either being made in China or being made with Chinese support. China has obvious interests to make the Pakistani Navy strong,” Admiral Tripathi said.

Asked about eight brand new Hangor class submarines that Islamabad is acquiring from Beijing, Admiral Tripathi said the boats would add significant combat strength to Pakistan, but the Indian Navy would negate any infringement in “our areas of operation.”

The navy chief said India kept close watch on extra-regional forces operating in the Indian Ocean including the PLA Navy warships and research vessels. “The last known visit by a PLA Navy submarine took place last year. It sailed to Karachi and travelled back. We also know its positions,” he said.

Admiral Tripathi said that the Indian Navy had established an effective system to monitor the Indian Ocean.