Pakistan officially launched its first advanced Hangor-class submarine during a ceremony in China on Thursday, representing a significant advancement in the nation’s naval capabilities through its growing defense alliance with Beijing, military officials announced.
The launch ceremony took place in Sanya, a port city in southern China, with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari serving as the primary dignitary. Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and high-ranking military leaders from both nations attended the event. Zardari has made numerous official trips to China in recent years as part of strengthening bilateral relations.
During his official Chinese visit, Zardari described the submarine’s introduction as a “historic milestone” for Pakistan’s naval forces, demonstrating the country’s commitment to maintaining effective and balanced military capabilities. He emphasized that Pakistan possesses the ability to safeguard its national sovereignty, defend maritime assets, and protect crucial economic shipping routes.
Military experts widely consider the Hangor-class vessel to be derived from China’s Type 039A submarine design. The vessel accommodates 38 crew members with extra space for special operations personnel, and features torpedo systems and anti-ship missile capabilities. Pakistan has contracted to obtain eight such submarines total, with the remaining four scheduled for construction at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works in the nation’s southern coastal region.
Pakistan has historically depended on submarine warfare capabilities as a cornerstone of its military deterrence strategy against India, its neighboring rival with whom it has engaged in three conflicts since both countries achieved independence in 1947. During the previous year’s border tensions concerning Kashmir, Pakistan deployed Chinese-manufactured J-10C fighter aircraft and reported shooting down Indian military planes, including French-built Rafale jets, though India has not verified these claims.
Admiral Ashraf addressed the gathering, noting that disruptions at crucial maritime passages increasingly endanger international commerce and energy supplies, highlighting the importance of maintaining a modern naval force. He explained that the Hangor-class submarines, featuring sophisticated detection equipment, weaponry, and air-independent propulsion technology, will contribute to regional stability and protect essential shipping channels throughout the Arabian Sea and broader Indian Ocean waters.
The Admiral noted that the “Hangor” designation holds special meaning, honoring a Pakistani submarine that destroyed an Indian naval vessel in 1971 — marking the first such naval victory since World War II. He characterized the submarine’s commissioning as a new phase in the enduring military cooperation between Pakistan and China.
In the previous year, Pakistan and China committed to enhancing economic collaboration and investment through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major component of China’s international Belt and Road Initiative.
