Pakistan Navy launches second Hangor-class submarine in China

The Pakistan Navy has officially launched its second Hangor-class submarine, PNS/M Shushuk, during a ceremony in Wuhan, China, in order to strengthen maritime defense, according to an official statement released on Saturday.

This development is part of a 2015 agreement between Pakistan’s defense ministry and China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company, signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan.

Under the deal, Pakistan is acquiring eight advanced submarines—four of which are being built in China, while the remaining four will be constructed at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works under a technology transfer initiative.

These submarines are designed with state-of-the-art weaponry and sensor systems, enhancing Pakistan’s naval capabilities by enabling precision strikes from extended ranges.

Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami, attended the launching ceremony as the chief guest. Speaking at the event, he highlighted the critical role of maritime security in the current geopolitical landscape and reaffirmed the Pakistan Navy’s commitment to safeguarding national interests.

“Hangor-class submarines, equipped with cutting-edge weapons and sensors, will play a vital role in maintaining the balance of power and ensuring maritime stability in the region,” the official statement from the Directorate General of Public Relations of Pakistan Navy quoted him as saying.

This collaboration with China is expected to significantly boost Pakistan’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean by incorporating stealth-capable submarines with low acoustic signatures, making them more challenging to detect.

Apart from the Hangor-class project, Pakistan is actively enhancing its naval capabilities through international partnerships. In 2018, it signed an agreement with Turkiye for the construction of four MILGEM-class corvettes. Additionally, a Turkish company has been engaged to modernize Pakistan’s Agosta 90B-class submarines.