ISLAMABAD — Pakistan is set to bolster its naval power next year with the induction of the first batch of Chinese-built Hangor-class submarines a development experts say could reshape the balance of power in the Indian Ocean and mark another major step in China-Pakistan defense cooperation.
Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of Naval Staff, confirmed in an interview with Global Times that the conventionally powered attack submarines are on track to join the Pakistan Navy in 2026. “The submarine program is progressing smoothly,” he said, noting that the new fleet will strengthen Pakistan’s underwater warfare capabilities while promoting self-reliance through technology transfer and skill development.
The Hangor-class submarines are part of an $5 billion agreement signed in 2015, under which Pakistan will receive eight submarines four to be constructed in China and four to be built locally at Karachi Shipyard. The project represents Beijing’s largest-ever defense export deal and underscores the growing depth of Sino-Pak defense collaboration.
Admiral Ashraf highlighted that Chinese naval platforms have consistently proven reliable and technologically advanced, aligning well with Pakistan’s operational needs. He added that the Navy is also exploring future cooperation with China in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and uncrewed systems.
According to defense analysts, the induction of Hangor-class submarines will significantly enhance Pakistan’s “sea denial” capabilities allowing it to better monitor and potentially challenge India’s naval activities, particularly in the northern Arabian Sea.
Liselotte Odgaard, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, said the submarines would “strengthen Pakistan’s deterrence posture, complicate India’s maritime strategy, and fit neatly within China’s broader Indo-Pacific ambitions.”
The Type 039A-based design includes air-independent propulsion (AIP), allowing the vessels to remain submerged for up to three weeks and conduct missions lasting as long as 60 days. Each submarine will be capable of launching both torpedoes and submarine-launched cruise missiles — potentially adding a second-strike capability to Pakistan’s defense doctrine.
While India currently operates nuclear-powered submarines like INS Arihant and INS Arighaat, Pakistan’s Hangor-class fleet is expected to provide a more cost-effective but potent alternative. Experts also note that these submarines could make India’s anti-submarine warfare operations more complex and expensive.
Delivery of the submarines faced earlier delays due to Germany’s refusal to export MTU396 engines, forcing China to develop its own CHD620 model. Analysts believe this indicates China has largely overcome its reliance on Western defense technology, though the CHD620’s performance in real-world conditions — especially in terms of stealth and noise levels remains to be fully tested.
Despite these concerns, experts agree that the Hangor-class submarines mark a major leap forward for Pakistan’s naval modernization and a strategic boost for China’s growing footprint in the Indian Ocean region.
