The Pakistan Navy is preparing to induct its first Chinese-designed Hangor-class submarine into active service by 2026, in what officials describe as a landmark step in defense cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing.
In an interview with China’s Global Times, Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf confirmed that the project — part of an agreement to acquire eight advanced submarines from China by 2028 is “progressing smoothly.” He noted that the successful launch of the second and third submarines earlier this year in China marked a major milestone in bilateral naval collaboration.
“The Hangor-class submarine project is of great strategic importance for the modernization of the Pakistan Navy,” Admiral Ashraf said, adding that the initiative not only enhances Pakistan’s underwater defense capabilities but also promotes self-reliance through technology transfer and local assembly at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW).
Under the agreement, four submarines are being built in China and the remaining four will be constructed in Pakistan, enabling local engineers to gain hands-on expertise in design, maintenance, and advanced marine systems. According to CGTN, the project reflects the growing trust and interoperability between the two militaries under a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Admiral Ashraf further highlighted the operational integration of Type 054A/P frigates, multirole surface combatants developed by China, which he described as among “the most advanced warships” currently serving in the Pakistan Navy. These vessels have strengthened Pakistan’s maritime surveillance, anti-submarine, and air defense capabilities across the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean region.
Defense analysts quoted by Reuters say the introduction of the Hangor-class submarines, equipped with advanced sonar systems and stealth technology, represents a significant upgrade in Pakistan’s deterrence and coastal defense capabilities. The collaboration also reinforces China’s position as Pakistan’s principal defense supplier under long-standing military and industrial cooperation agreements.
Experts believe the partnership extends beyond defense hardware, serving as a key component of the broader China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, which encompasses infrastructure, energy, and security cooperation. “These platforms symbolize a deepening strategic relationship built on mutual trust and shared regional interests,” said a Beijing-based naval expert.
The first Hangor-class submarine is expected to undergo sea trials in 2025 before being officially commissioned into the Pakistan Navy fleet in 2026, marking a new era in the two nations’ maritime partnership.
