The Pakistan Navy is expected to commission its first batch of Hangor-class submarines in 2026 under a joint defence cooperation program with China, according to Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff.
In an exclusive interview with Global Times, Admiral Ashraf confirmed that the project is advancing steadily, with the launch of the second and third submarines in China earlier this year marking a significant milestone in bilateral naval collaboration.
Pakistan finalised an agreement with China in 2015 to acquire eight Hangor-class conventional submarines. As part of the deal, the first four submarines are being built in China, while the remaining four will be assembled in Pakistan to enhance local expertise and technical capability.
Under the current schedule, all eight submarines are expected to be delivered between 2022 and 2028. The inaugural vessel was launched in April 2024, followed by the second and third launches later the same year.
Admiral Ashraf commended the joint initiative, describing it as a crucial step in strengthening the Pakistan Navy’s underwater defense capabilities. He emphasized that the program not only enhances operational readiness but also promotes self-reliance through technology transfer and skill development at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works.
The collaboration, he added, demonstrates the depth of professional and technological partnership between the navies of China and Pakistan.
