The Pakistan Navy is set to enhance its undersea warfare capabilities with the commissioning of the first Hangor Class submarine, marking a significant development in the Indian Ocean Region's maritime balance of power. This milestone, reached on April 26, represents a major step forward in Pakistan’s naval modernization and its long-standing aim to strengthen deterrence amid regional maritime competition.
The Hangor Class submarine program, initiated during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Islamabad in April 2015, involves the construction of eight advanced diesel-electric submarines. Four of these are being built at the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group in Wuhan, China, while the other four are under construction at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) in Pakistan. The arrangement includes extensive technology transfer, aiming not only to supply modern platforms but also to develop Pakistan’s indigenous naval industrial capabilities. Submarines built in China have been launched and are in advanced phases of system integration, trials, and testing, with work at KS&EW reported to be on track.
The Hangor Class integrates cutting-edge Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, allowing the submarines to remain submerged for extended periods without surfacing, thereby reducing vulnerability to anti-submarine warfare (ASW) efforts. This endurance capability is especially advantageous in the littoral environment of the Indian Ocean, providing enhanced stealth and operational flexibility. The submarines also feature sophisticated sensor suites, including radar, electronic support measures (ESM), optronic periscopes for above-water detection, and an advanced sonar system—the latter comprising hull-mounted, flank, towed array, and mine-avoidance sonars for comprehensive underwater situational awareness.
Armed with heavyweight torpedoes and cruise missile capabilities, the Hangor Class vessels are designed to conduct prolonged deployments, exert sea denial, and project power across contested maritime zones. Pakistan views these submarines as a vital component of its defensive posture against a numerically superior Indian Navy, which operates both conventional and nuclear-powered submarines. The presence of AIP-equipped vessels in Pakistan's fleet complicates India's ASW planning due to their increased stealth and endurance.
Historically, Pakistan’s submarine force gained prominence during the Indo-Pakistani wars, notably with the sinking of the Indian Navy’s INS Khukri by PNS/M Hangor in 1971, marking the first successful attack by a conventional submarine since World War II. Since then, Pakistan has operated various classes such as the Agosta 70 and Agosta 90B, progressively expanding operational and technical expertise.
The current Hangor Class program symbolizes the deepening strategic partnership between Pakistan and China in maritime defense. Beyond enhancing naval capabilities, it represents a strategic investment in technology sharing and industrial sovereignty, enabling Pakistan to sustain and advance its naval presence independently over the long term.
Officials, including Admiral Naveed Ashraf, have emphasized the significance of the program, suggesting that the induction of these eight submarines will substantially bolster Pakistan Navy’s defense capabilities and contribute to shaping a stable security environment in the Indian Ocean Region. However, as maritime competition intensifies regionally, the effectiveness of the new submarine fleet will be measured not only by its operational capabilities but also by its role in promoting restraint, stability, and responsible power projection in a complex security landscape.