ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy is on the cusp of a transformative upgrade inits maritime capabilities, with the first batch of Hangor-class submarinesslated for induction into active service. This development, confirmed byChief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf in an exclusive interview withChina’s Global Times, underscores the deepening strategic partnershipbetween Islamabad and Beijing.
The Hangor program, rooted in a landmark 2015 defense agreement valued atapproximately $5 billion, represents a pivotal step in modernizingPakistan’s underwater fleet. Under the accord, eight advancedair-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines—four constructed in China andfour assembled in Pakistan—will bolster the navy’s operational reach andstealth profile, addressing longstanding asymmetries in regional navalpower dynamics.
Admiral Ashraf emphasized that the project is progressing smoothly, withthe initial vessels expected to achieve full operational status next year.This timeline aligns with the rapid advancements in the program’sconstruction phase. The inaugural Hangor-class submarine, bearing thelegacy of its namesake from the 1971 war that sank an Indian frigate, wasceremonially launched in April 2024 at China’s Wuchang Shipyard. Subsequentmilestones followed swiftly: the second vessel took to water in February2025, and the third in August of the same year, both at the same facility.These launches not only validate the technical collaboration but alsohighlight Pakistan’s growing indigenous shipbuilding expertise, as theremaining four units will be built at the Pakistan Naval Dockyard inKarachi, incorporating technology transfers that promise long-termself-reliance.
The Hangor-class submarines, a variant of China’s Type 039B Yuan design,are engineered for superior stealth and endurance. Equipped with StirlingAIP systems, they can remain submerged for up to three weeks withoutsurfacing, a critical advantage in contested waters. Displacing around2,800 tons submerged, these diesel-electric platforms boast a top speedexceeding 20 knots underwater and are armed with a formidable array ofweaponry: six 533mm torpedo tubes capable of launching Yu-6 heavyweighttorpedoes, YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missiles, and potentially thenuclear-capable Babur-3 submarine-launched cruise missile.
Such armaments extend Pakistan’s strike range to over 300 kilometers,enabling precision targeting of surface threats from concealed positions.This integration of quiet propulsion and advanced sensors, includingbow-mounted sonars and electronic support measures, positions the Hangor asa formidable asset in asymmetric warfare scenarios.
Beyond technical specifications, the induction of the Hangor fleet carriesprofound strategic implications for Pakistan’s defense posture in theIndian Ocean. Historically, Pakistan’s submarine force has punched aboveits weight, as evidenced by the 1971 exploits of PNS Hangor, whichdemonstrated the vulnerability of larger surface fleets to stealthyunderwater predators. Today, with regional tensions simmering—exacerbatedby India’s expanding blue-water ambitions—these submarines will serve as acredible deterrent against naval incursions.
Analysts note that the AIP technology mitigates the diesel-electriclimitations of Pakistan’s aging Agosta and Hashmatex classes, allowing forextended patrols in the Arabian Sea and beyond. This enhanced persistencecould disrupt enemy supply lines, enforce sea denial, and protect vital sealanes of communication, including those ferrying 80 percent of Pakistan’soil imports.
A deeper analysis reveals the Hangor fleet’s potential to neutralizehigh-value Indian assets, particularly aircraft carriers that underpin NewDelhi’s power projection. Research from naval think tanks, includingassessments by the Quwa Defence and Security consultancy, indicates that afully armed and operational Hangor squadron—comprising all eight vesselsloaded with anti-ship missiles and torpedoes—could pose an existentialthreat to carriers like INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.
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The Yuan-class design’s low acoustic signature, combined with AIP-enabledloitering, allows submarines to infiltrate carrier battle groupsundetected, exploiting gaps in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) networks. Forinstance, simulations based on open-source intelligence suggest that eventwo to three Hangors, coordinating via data links, could saturate defenseswith YJ-18 salvos traveling at Mach 3, overwhelming close-in weapon systemsand decoys. Historical precedents, such as the Argentine submarine ARA SanLuis’s near-miss against HMS Invincible in the Falklands, underscore thisvulnerability; carriers, reliant on layered escorts, remain susceptible invast ocean expanses where ASW coverage thins.
India’s naval modernization, featuring P-8I Poseidon aircraft andindigenous ASW corvettes, aims to counter such threats, yet the Hangorprogram’s scale introduces asymmetry. With full induction by 2028,Pakistan’s submarine force will outnumber India’s conventional subs in thewestern Indian Ocean, enabling area-denial strategies that complicatecarrier operations during crises. This shift could deter aggressivemaneuvers, such as blockades or amphibious feints, forcing India to divertresources from expeditionary roles to defensive patrols. Moreover, thePak-China axis amplifies this effect: Beijing’s export of Yuan technologynot only equips Islamabad but also tests refinements against U.S.-alignednavies, fostering a broader anti-access paradigm in the Indo-Pacific.
Critics voices from Indian strategic circles, argue that Pakistan’s focuson submarines overlooks surface fleet gaps, potentially inviting overmatchin open-water engagements. However, from Islamabad’s perspective, theHangor acquisition aligns with a cost-effective doctrine emphasizing seacontrol over power projection. As Admiral Ashraf articulated, these vesselswill “significantly enhance Pakistan’s underwater warfare and deterrenceposture,” signaling resolve without escalating arms races. In an era ofhybrid threats, where non-state actors and cyber domains intersect withtraditional naval contests, the Hangor’s quiet lethality offers versatileutility—from intelligence gathering to precision strikes.
The broader geopolitical canvas further elevates the program’ssignificance. Amid U.S.-China rivalry, Pakistan’s embrace of Hangortechnology cements its role as a counterweight to Indian Ocean littoralsdominated by Quad alignments. This infusion of Chinese maritime prowesscould spur regional realignments, prompting allies like Turkey or SaudiArabia to deepen defense ties with Islamabad. Yet, challenges persist:integrating AIP systems demands rigorous crew training, and fiscalconstraints may temper ancillary upgrades. Nonetheless, by 2026, the Hangorfleet will mark a watershed, transforming Pakistan from a coastal defenderto a subsurface contender capable of altering the balance of power.
In conclusion, the arrival of these submarines heralds a new chapter inPakistan’s naval evolution, one that prioritizes stealth, endurance, andstrategic depth. As Admiral Ashraf’s confirmation reverberates, it servesas a clarion call: in the shadowed depths of the Indian Ocean, deterrenceis forged not in grand fleets, but in the silent glide of advanced hulls.
Source: www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347163.shtml”>https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3332051/pakistans-navy-set-have-chinese-subs-2026-what-does-it-mean-india”>https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1347163.shtmlSource:www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3332051/pakistans-navy-set-have-chinese-subs-2026-what-does-it-mean-india”>https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3332051/pakistans-navy-set-have-chinese-subs-2026-what-does-it-mean-india