ISLAMABAD: The Indian Navy has voiced increasing apprehension overPakistan’s acquisition of the advanced Hangor-class submarines, viewingthem as a significant shift in the regional maritime equilibrium. TheseChinese-built vessels, equipped with air-independent propulsion systems,enhance Pakistan’s underwater stealth and endurance capabilities. Indianofficials have repeatedly highlighted this development in strategicdiscussions, underscoring the perceived threat to their naval dominance inthe Indian Ocean. This reaction highlights the submarines’ potential toalter longstanding power dynamics between the two neighbors.
The Hangor-class submarines represent a leap forward for the Pakistan Navy,incorporating modern technologies that allow for prolonged submergedoperations without surfacing. Based on China’s Type 039B Yuan-class design,they are armed with heavy torpedoes and anti-ship cruise missiles, makingthem formidable assets in anti-access and area denial strategies. Pakistanplans to induct eight such submarines, with the first units expected toenter service soon, bolstering its defensive posture amid regionaltensions. This upgrade addresses previous limitations in Pakistan’ssubmarine fleet, which has relied on older Agosta-class vessels.
Indian naval analysts argue that these inductions pose a real threat,particularly in the Arabian Sea, where Pakistan could disrupt Indian supplylines during conflicts. The stealth features of the Hangor-class makedetection challenging for India’s anti-submarine warfare assets, despiteNew Delhi’s larger fleet of 16 conventional submarines.India’s ownsubmarine programs, including the Scorpene-class, have faced delays,exacerbating vulnerabilities. Vice Admiral-level statements from Indiaacknowledge the need to counter this emerging challenge through enhancedmonitoring and fleet modernization.
The threat’s reality stems from the submarines’ ability to operateundetected in contested waters, potentially targeting Indian aircraftcarriers or merchant vessels. While India’s nuclear-powered submarinesprovide a strategic edge, the Hangor-class levels the playing field inconventional scenarios, forcing India to allocate more resources tounderwater defenses. Experts note that China’s involvement in supplyingthese platforms adds a geopolitical layer, as Beijing seeks tocounterbalance Indian influence in the region.
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Overall, these developments underscore a reshaping of South Asian maritimesecurity, prompting both nations to reassess their naval strategies.Pakistan’s enhanced capabilities may deter aggression but could escalatearms races, with implications for stability in the Indian Ocean. Asinductions proceed, international observers watch closely for impacts onbilateral relations and broader regional alliances.Source:https://thediplomat.com/2025/11/why-the-new-hangor-class-submarines-are-crucial-for-the-pakistan-navy/