ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy’s Hangoor-class submarines have triggered freshconcern in New Delhi primarily because they will provide Islamabad crediblesecond-strike capability, defence analysts said on Wednesday.
The eight Chinese-built conventional submarines are being equipped withair-independent propulsion and will carry Babur-3 nuclear-capable cruisemissiles having a demonstrated range of up to 750 kilometres.
Military experts maintain that once deployed, these submarines will survivea first strike on land-based assets and retain the ability to deliver adevastating nuclear response from underwater, completing Pakistan’s sea legof the nuclear triad.
Indian naval planners fear the platform will significantly complicate theirblockade strategies during any future conflict and shrink the warning timefor their coastal economic hubs and military installations.
The submarines are being constructed under a 2015 agreement with China,with four units built in Karachi and four in China. The first vessel waslaunched last year and sea trials are progressing rapidly.
Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division views the project as essential formaintaining credible minimum deterrence against a numerically superioradversary.
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The induction will mark the first time Pakistan possessessubmarine-launched nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, dramatically enhancingthe survivability of its strategic arsenal.
Defence circles in Rawalpindi believe the capability will strengthen crisisstability in South Asia by removing any incentive for pre-emptive strikeson Pakistani nuclear forces.
Source:www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/11/hangor-class-submarines-pakistan-navy-second-strike/”>https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/11/hangor-class-submarines-pakistan-navy-second-strike/
