Pakistan Commissions New Submarine from China
On Thursday, a delegation from Pakistan arrived in Sanya, China, to attend the commissioning ceremony of the first of eight submarines, named Hangor, that Islamabad plans to acquire from Beijing.
The event saw participation from Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Admiral Naveed Ashraf, along with senior naval officials from both nations. Zardari described the acquisition of the Hangor class submarines as a “historic milestone,” aimed at modernizing the Pakistan Navy and ensuring a “robust, balanced, and reliable defense posture.”
A Zardari office statement noted that, “This advanced submarine will enhance Pakistan’s maritime defense, protect its economic lifelines, and underscore its strategic partnership with China.”
In his remarks, Admiral Ashraf emphasized the necessity of strengthening Pakistan’s naval capabilities, especially given the ongoing “disturbances at key maritime choke points,” referencing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
He stated, “A stable, rules-based maritime order demands a technologically advanced navy. These submarines are vital for deterring aggression and safeguarding critical maritime lines of communication across the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean.”
The Pakistan Navy characterized the commissioning of the new submarine as “a new chapter in the long-standing and rich friendship between Pakistan and China.”
The designation Hangor translates to “shark” in Bengali. The original Hangor, an older French submarine, notably survived the destruction of much of Pakistan’s surface navy during the 1971 India-Pakistan War and was responsible for sinking the Indian frigate INS Kurukuri.
This previous Hangor holds a unique place in history as the first submarine to sink an enemy warship after World War II. It cleverly evaded an extensive search by the Indian Navy, returning safely to Karachi, which left a lasting psychological mark on both nations.
December 9th, the date of the original Hangor‘s notable engagement, is now recognized as Khangor Day in Pakistan. The submarine was in service until 2006, after which it was moved to the Pakistan Maritime Museum.
The new Hangor class submarine is reportedly based on China’s Type 039A model, designed for extended underwater operations and capable of striking enemy forces with torpedoes and cruise missiles. While relatively small by current standards, it is intended for shallow coastal operations and features an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system enhancing both its stealth and endurance at sea.
Admiral Ashraf mentioned that these submarines, crafted by China for Pakistan, will be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors compatible with the new AIP technology.
According to Pakistani officials, the planned fleet will consist of eight submarines, with four being built in China and the others constructed in Pakistan under a technology transfer agreement. This decision followed Pakistan’s effective deployment of Chinese J-10C fighter jets against India as tensions escalated last summer, pushing both nations to the edge of conflict.
While Pakistan possesses nuclear capabilities, analysts note that its warhead technology lacks the miniaturization needed for the Hangor to function as a nuclear delivery platform.
India is likely to maintain its naval superiority, given its two aircraft carriers and three nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. Still, Pakistan and China assert that they have achieved a “nuclear triad,” indicating Pakistan’s ability to launch nuclear missiles from land, air, and sea.
