Pakistan commissions first Chinese-built Hangor submarine

(SeaPRwire) –   The inaugural vessel of an eight-submarine order has been launched as friction with India continues

Pakistan has debuted the first of eight Hangor-class submarines manufactured in China, bolstering its underwater capabilities as defense ties between Islamabad and Beijing intensify.

This development comes after the introduction of Chinese J-10C fighter aircraft, which Islamabad claims were utilized in active combat during the 2025 hostilities with India.

President Asif Ali Zardari, accompanied by Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and other high-ranking officials, participated in the commissioning event held in Sanya, a port city in southern China. Zardari, currently on a state visit to China, labeled the induction a “historic milestone” for the Pakistani Navy.

Derived from China’s Type 039A design, the Hangor-class is a diesel-electric vessel featuring air-independent propulsion. It accommodates a 38-person crew and is armed with anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. Under a 2015 agreement valued at approximately $5 billion, four units are being produced in China for delivery, while the other four will be built within Pakistan.

Islamabad has traditionally viewed its submarine force as a vital deterrent against India, a nation it has fought three times since 1947. During the Kashmir conflict last year, Pakistan asserted that its Chinese-sourced J-10C jets downed Indian planes, including French Rafales, though New Delhi has not verified these reports.

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicates that China supplied roughly 81% of Pakistan’s weaponry between 2020 and 2024. Their collaborative efforts include the JF-17 fighter and the Hangor submarine project.

Earlier this week, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh leveled accusations of terrorism support against Pakistan, stating that New Delhi is prepared to counter any threats, highlighting the persistent friction between the two nuclear powers.

While India has not issued a formal statement regarding this commissioning, its naval leadership has noted it is keeping a close watch on Chinese submarine deliveries to Pakistan. Simultaneously, India is accelerating its own conventional and nuclear submarine initiatives to enhance maritime strength in response to China’s growing footprint in the Indian Ocean.