Pakistan Navy Commissions First Hangor-Class Submarine in China
Pakistan Navy commissioned its first Hangor-class submarine in China on Thursday in a milestone development for the country's naval modernisation programme. The commissioning ceremony marks the delivery of a next-generation underwater warfare platform acquired under a bilateral defence agreement with Beijing, significantly enhancing Pakistan's subsurface naval capability.
The Hangor-class submarines are conventionally powered vessels equipped with air-independent propulsion systems, enabling extended submerged operations without surfacing. The class is widely regarded as a qualitative upgrade over Pakistan Navy's existing submarine fleet, offering enhanced stealth, endurance, and weapons integration capabilities.
The acquisition is part of a broader Pakistan-China defence cooperation framework that has seen joint development and transfer of major military platforms across the army, air force, and navy. Defence analysts have noted that the commissioning directly strengthens Pakistan's strategic deterrence posture and its capacity to contest maritime space in the northern Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean region.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf is expected to formally receive the vessel on behalf of Pakistan Navy, with the submarine scheduled to be operationally deployed following completion of crew integration and sea acceptance trials.
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