Pakistan Navy Launches Second Hangor-Class Submarine in China

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Pakistan Navy has taken another significant step in its naval modernization drive with the launch of its second Hangor-class submarine, PNS/M Shushuk, at a ceremony in Wuhan, China.

This milestone underscores Pakistan’s commitment to bolstering its undersea warfare capabilities amid the shifting geopolitical dynamics of the Indian Ocean region.

The Hangor-class submarine programme is part of an ambitious eight-vessel deal inked in 2015 between Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence and China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC) during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s landmark visit to Islamabad.

The agreement, widely regarded as one of the most significant defence procurements in Pakistan’s history, is a testament to the deepening strategic partnership between Islamabad and Beijing in the maritime domain.

With construction of the first Hangor-class submarine having officially commenced in Pakistan in December 2024, the induction of PNS/M Shushuk further advances the Pakistan Navy’s goal of fielding a potent submarine fleet.

Under the terms of the agreement, four submarines are being constructed in China, while the remaining four are slated for assembly at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) under a transfer of technology (ToT) programme, strengthening Pakistan’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Pakistan’s Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami, highlighted the increasing importance of maritime security amid the evolving geo-strategic of the region.

While addressing the ceremony, the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff highlighted the importance of maritime security in the prevailing geo-strategic environment of the region, as well as Pakistan Navy’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and ensuring a safe and conducive maritime environment for all, the Pakistan Navy’s Directorate General of Public Relations said in a statement.

He emphasised that Hangor-class submarines, equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, will play a pivotal role in maintaining the balance of power and maritime order in the region, it added.

Designed for stealth operations, the Hangor-class submarines boast an extremely low acoustic signature, significantly reducing the likelihood of detection by enemy anti-submarine warfare (ASW) assets.

Equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, they possess an extended submerged endurance, allowing them to patrol undetected for prolonged durations—an essential capability in asymmetric naval warfare.

According to defence officials, these submarines will enhance Pakistan’s sea denial strategy by complicating the operational calculus of hostile forces in the Arabian Sea and beyond.

They are also expected to be capable of launching precision strikes at standoff ranges, potentially altering the region’s underwater battle dynamics.

Defence analysts suggest that the Hangor-class submarines could be integrated with Pakistan’s Babur-3 Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM)—a strategic asset that significantly enhances Pakistan’s second-strike capability.

Developed by Pakistan’s National Defence Complex (NDC), the Babur-3 missile is reported to have a range of 450 km and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.

If confirmed, this capability would provide Pakistan with a formidable sea-based deterrent, potentially ensuring a credible nuclear triad alongside its existing land-based and air-launched missile systems.

The induction of the Hangor-class submarines aligns with Pakistan’s broader efforts to modernize its naval force structure.

In 2018, Islamabad signed a defence agreement with Türkiye for the procurement of four MILGEM-class corvettes, further expanding its surface fleet.

Additionally, a Turkish firm was contracted to upgrade Pakistan’s Agosta 90B-class submarines, which are currently undergoing a Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) to integrate cutting-edge combat systems.

At present, Pakistan operates three Agosta 90B-class submarines, each retrofitted with AIP technology.

The upgrade, undertaken by Turkish defence firm STM, includes enhancements to the Fire Control System, Sonar Suite, Electronic Warfare System, Radar, and Periscope Systems.

The first upgraded Agosta-class submarine, PNS Hamza, was delivered in 2020 under this programme.

The Hangor-class project is a pivotal component of the Pakistan-China defence partnership, a relationship that continues to evolve beyond naval cooperation.

These submarines are an export variant of China’s Type 039A/041 Yuan-class submarines, which are actively operated by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

As per the contractual schedule, all eight submarines are expected to be delivered to the Pakistan Navy between 2022 and 2028, providing Islamabad with a robust underwater combat capability.

Measuring 76 meters in length with a displacement of 2,800 tons, the Hangor-class submarines represent a formidable addition to Pakistan’s maritime order of battle.

With New Delhi also ramping up its naval power, including the acquisition of Scorpène-class submarines and the indigenous development of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), Pakistan’s submarine procurement programme is strategically timed to counterbalance its eastern rival’s growing blue-water ambitions.

The launching of PNS/M Shushuk marks another chapter in Pakistan’s ongoing quest to establish credible undersea deterrence.

As tensions persist in the Indian Ocean and South Asian waters, the Pakistan Navy’s submarine fleet will undoubtedly play an increasingly decisive role in regional power dynamics.

With the integration of next-generation undersea assets, Islamabad is not only reinforcing its maritime defences but also sending a clear message—its navy is prepared to defend the nation’s interests with unparalleled strategic depth and operational prowess.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA