The successful engagement highlights a significant milestone in Pakistan’s naval modernization efforts, which represent the largest overhaul of its submarine force since the service’s inception in 1964. The Hangor-class submarine arrived at Karachi Port in June, following a contract signed in 2015 with Chinese state-owned enterprise CSIC (now CSSC) for the supply of eight large diesel-electric submarines. The first of these vessels was launched in China in April 2024, and the commissioning ceremony was held in Sanya, a city that hosts key facilities of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, including the Yulin naval base.
Technically, the Hangor-class is a derivative of the Chinese Type 039 submarine. It is equipped with advanced combat systems, modern sensors, and Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology. AIP allows non-nuclear submarines to operate submerged for extended periods without accessing atmospheric oxygen, thereby increasing underwater endurance and stealth capabilities. These features are designed to significantly enhance the Pakistan Navy’s combat power and its ability to maintain a protracted presence in key maritime areas, including the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean Region.
The acquisition of this class of submarines is part of a broader trend in Islamabad’s military procurement, with an increasing share of complex weapon systems being sourced from China. The Hangor-class is viewed as a traditional replacement for the French-built Agosta 90B submarines acquired in the 1980s. While the Navy has not officially confirmed the specific nuclear payload of the new vessels, strategic analysts suggest the submarines are likely capable of integrating the Babur-3 sea-launched cruise missile (SLCM). With a reported range of 450 kilometers, the Babur-3 would provide Pakistan with a sea-based second-strike capability, diversifying its nuclear deterrent away from a purely land-based posture.
The name “Hangor” itself carries historical weight in Pakistani naval lore, referencing the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. During that conflict, the original PNS Hangor, a French Daphne-class submarine, became the first submarine since World War II to sink a warship by torpedoing the Indian frigate INS Khukri. The new class aims to replicate and expand upon the tactical leverage that modest submarine forces have historically provided in regional conflicts.
Political leadership has expressed strong support for the development. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Navy, stating that the successful strike demonstrated the “operational readiness, professional expertise and combat capability” of the submarine force. President Asif Ali Zardari, who attended the handover ceremony on April 30, lauded the enhancement of naval defense capabilities, noting the Navy’s vital role in safeguarding national maritime boundaries and ensuring regional peace.
The induction of the first Hangor-class boat is the initial phase of a larger program. The Navy is set to induct a total of eight such submarines. Recent reports indicate that the second, third, and fourth vessels were launched in China on March 15, August 15, and December 17, 2025, respectively. As these deliveries progress, Pakistan’s subsurface warfare capability is expected to evolve, potentially altering the balance of naval power in the region and providing a more robust platform for both conventional sea denial and strategic deterrence.
Strategic and Operational Context
The integration of these submarines into the fleet addresses several operational gaps in the Pakistan Navy’s current posture. Previous acquisitions, such as the Agosta 90B, utilized French MESMA-type AIP, but the Hangor-class offers a newer platform with enhanced stealth and sensor suites. The operational effectiveness of the Hangor extends beyond missile delivery; the vessels are capable of mining operations and engaging adversary surface craft while maintaining a low acoustic signature.
For Pakistan, the expansion of its submarine fleet is a critical component of its defense strategy against India, which has commissioned and inducted nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) such as INS Arihant, INS Arighaat, and INS Aridaman. While India’s SSBNs carry ballistic missiles with ranges exceeding 3,500 kilometers, Pakistan’s focus on cruise missile-capable diesel-electric submarines reflects a different doctrinal approach, prioritizing stealth and regional sea control over long-range strategic reach. The continued delivery of the remaining seven Hangor-class boats will be the next significant milestone in this modernization effort.
