IN a region where maritime dominance increasingly shapes geopolitical outcomes, Pakistan’s announcement to induct its first advanced Chinese-built Hangor-class submarine next year marks a watershed moment in its naval modernization. This development is not merely a technical upgrade—it is a strategic recalibration, a signal of resolve and a nod to a storied legacy that began beneath the waves on 9 December 1971.
That winter night, Commander Ahmed Tasnim of the Pakistan Navy etched his name into naval history by commanding PNS Hangor to sink the Indian Navy’s INS Khukri off the coast of Gujarat. It was the first submarine kill since World War II and remains the only one in South Asia’s naval annals. The sinking of INS Khukri, a Blackwood-class anti-submarine frigate, not only demonstrated Pakistan’s undersea prowess but also underscored the psychological and strategic impact of submarine warfare. Forty-seven Indian sailors perished and the event sent ripples through naval doctrines across the region.
Now, over five decades later, Pakistan is poised to revive and expand that legacy with the induction of the new Hangor-class submarines—eight in total, four built in China and four to be constructed at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works. The first vessel is expected to join the fleet in 2026, with Admiral Naveed Ashraf confirming that the program is “progressing smoothly.” These diesel-electric submarines, based on China’s Type 039A Yuan-class design, are equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP), allowing them to remain submerged for extended periods—an essential feature for stealth and endurance in contested waters. Strategic depth in a shifting maritime landscape: The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is no longer a quiet backyard. It is a bustling theatre of strategic competition, where the United States, China, India and regional navies jostle for influence over sea lanes, chokepoints and economic corridors. For Pakistan, whose coastline stretches over 1,000 kilometres and whose maritime interests are deeply entwined with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the ability to operate undetected beneath the waves is not a luxury—it is a necessity. India’s naval expansion, including nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers, has tilted the regional balance. The Hangor-class submarines offer Pakistan a credible counterweight, enhancing its second-strike capability and bolstering deterrence. While Pakistan has not publicly declared plans to arm these submarines with nuclear-tipped cruise missiles, the platform’s potential to do so adds a layer of strategic ambiguity that can reinforce deterrence without escalation. Moreover, the submarines will enable Pakistan to better monitor and secure its sea lines of communication (SLOCs), which are vital for energy imports, trade and strategic connectivity. In an age where hybrid threats—ranging from piracy to underwater drones—challenge conventional security paradigms, the Hangor-class offers versatility and resilience.
One of the most promising aspects of this program is the decision to build half the fleet domestically. Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, long underutilized, is now at the heart of a capacity-building effort that could transform Pakistan’s naval industrial base. This move is not just about cost-saving—it’s about sovereignty, skills and sustainability. By co-producing submarines with China, Pakistan gains access to advanced manufacturing techniques, quality control protocols and systems integration expertise. If managed effectively, this could catalyze a broader defence-industrial revival, enabling Pakistan to design, build and maintain complex platforms independently in the future.
However, challenges remain. Pakistan’s shipbuilding infrastructure needs modernization and bureaucratic inertia can stifle innovation. Ensuring timely delivery, maintaining quality standards and fostering a skilled workforce will be critical to the program’s success. The Hangor-class submarine deal is emblematic of the deepening strategic partnership between Pakistan and China. From JF-17 fighter jets to Type 054A/P frigates, China has become Pakistan’s principal defence supplier. This relationship is not merely transactional—it is strategic, rooted in shared interests and mutual trust.
By transferring submarine technology and co-producing vessels, China is investing in long-term interoperability and regional balance. For Pakistan, this partnership offers access to cutting-edge systems without the political strings often attached to Western defence deals. Yet, this alignment also invites scrutiny. India views the Sino-Pak nexus as a direct threat to its maritime dominance and has responded by accelerating its own submarine programs and naval deployments. The United States, too, is recalibrating its Indo-Pacific strategy, with implications for regional stability.
Pakistan must therefore navigate this partnership with diplomatic finesse, ensuring that its defence cooperation with China does not preclude engagement with other regional and global actors. The naming of the new class as “Hangor” is no coincidence—it is a tribute to valour, precision and strategic impact. The 1971 episode remains a defining moment in Pakistan’s naval history, not just for its tactical brilliance but for its psychological resonance. Commander Ahmed Tasnim’s decision to engage INS Khukri was not taken lightly. Today’s Hangor-class submarines inherit that legacy. They are not just machines—they are symbols of strategic resolve. As Pakistan inducts these vessels, it must also invest in training, doctrine and public awareness. The sea is no longer a distant frontier—it is a domain of opportunity, challenge and national pride.
Pakistan’s decision to induct the Hangor-class submarine is a bold step toward maritime modernization. It enhances deterrence, deepens strategic partnerships and revives domestic capability. As the new Hangor prepares to dive into service, Pakistan must ensure that its strategic depth is matched by operational readiness, industrial resilience and diplomatic clarity. In the depths of the ocean, where silence is strength and shadows carry weight, Pakistan is finally beginning to speak with purpose.
—The writer, Retired Group Captain of PAF, is author of several books on China.
