Fair enough, Good & valid points.
My views were built around the past history plus whats happening right now. The only major concern is what I feel is perhaps PN's ability to absorb the technical knowledge and make it part of the processes within its ship building, I could be wrong but I have not heard any steps taken in this regard. Perhaps its all secretive or maybe i am simply unaware. For-example, in PAF case, We actually see steps on ground in this direction. Like aviation city, like center for A.I, successful existing running programs like JF from which valuable experience can be taken (unlike Navy as its old programs never saw the daylight ). Navy needs the kind of eco-system in form of various institutes, technology & engineering companies being tasked or dedicated for specific equipment etc. Plus the environment of innovation and R & D, so navy won't really require help of others everytime, I am sure there are lot of navies which are having successful ship building capabilities but never needed foreign help at every step, because the eco-system, the partnership of commercial industries with defense sector and sustainable HR (training & institutes) all collaborate. Once this all starts to happen then we'll be certain that yes the program is getting mature with a solid base. Otherwise, i see 1 ship and end of line.
Many would disagree but I have my own views, I would rather wanted Navy to build 1500 ton corvette in-house with its own innovation & experiences. Ofcourse it would have utilized all the experience it gained from F-22P or FACs manufacturing. The critical components could have been imported. But the kind of confidence & foundation it could have laid down for future improved & bigger ships. The indians, the turks, everyone started at some point. Nevertheless, we decided to start with frigate, lets hope it establish the self sufficiency & confidence that we don't have to contact foreign countries after the first ship for next upgraded and bigger version.
Reading this made me smile because it reminded me of the eternal Pakistani self doubt that refuses to part with us lol
I think most of us will understand exactly what you are trying to say, but yours is essentially the chicken or the egg argument, what came first, or should come first. I'm certain you are already aware that not every step is a finite solution in itself, and the learning process is a continuous one, where missteps will continue to occur.
You only have to look at America's recent ship building attempts, it has had to backtrack in many of its programs. Now, no-one can accuse America of not being experienced and not knowing what it is doing. Please show patience with Pakistan, let the steps follow it's course, and nudge when they go off track, but please do not discourage in totality.
I do not know much about Turkish shipbuilding industry, but with the Ottoman history, I am sure they had a rich history to fall back on, which provided an impetus for their recent successes. South Korea developed under the American shadow and Japanese cooperation.
If you look into India's ship building industry, East India company had built one of the best dockyards in the world, in Bombay around the early 1800s, so British backed Indian ship building is 200 years old, and yet, they are still building with foreign assistance, they are still not fully capable.
Considering others, I would say we haven't done too badly, and it's even better that we are continuing with our efforts, so rather then continuous persistent self doubt, those efforts need to be supported.
Stay blessed.
