Pakistan to get Hangor-Class Submarine from China soon: A Strategic Leap in Maritime Defence Amid Regional Tensions

Islamabad, Pakistan, 28 April 2026: The Pakistan Navy's ambitious Hangor-Class submarine project, a cornerstone of its modernization drive, has entered a pivotal advanced phase with the imminent commissioning of its first vessel. 

Future Asia understands that the first handover may take place as soon as this week.

Valued as one of Pakistan's most significant naval procurements, the deal mandates eight Hangor-Class submarines: four to be built at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group in Wuhan, China, and four at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) via technology transfer.

It is worth mentioning that the construction of the second submarine being built at Karachi Shipyard commenced formally in February 2024. Meanwhile, the construction of the first submarine at Karachi Shipyard began in December 2021.

This mega-initiative, rooted in decades of submarine expertise and fortified by deep Sino-Pakistani defence ties, promises to reshape underwater warfare dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region. As construction progresses seamlessly across China and Pakistan, the project underscores Islamabad's push for self-reliance in naval manufacturing while bolstering its deterrence posture against regional rivals.

These submarines have a displacement of 2,800 tons, while the submerged displacement is reported to be 3,600 tons. They have a length of 76 meters and a draft of 6.7 meters, with a beam of 8.4 meters. 

The Hangor class submarines are armed with six torpedo tubes, each measuring 533 millimeters in diameter, and they do not feature a vertical launch system. These submarines can fire heavyweight torpedoes, as well as anti-ship cruise missiles, from their torpedo tubes. 

With six torpedo tubes, these submarines can simultaneously launch four anti-ship cruise missiles on enemy ships because two tubes are used for self-defense with torpedoes.

In the anti-ship role, the submarines can carry the YJ-18 anti-ship cruise missile, while Pakistan’s nuclear-capable Babur III cruise missile can also be launched from these submarines.

Evolutionary Milestones and Delays

The initial four submarines of Pakistan’s Hangor class were slated for delivery by 2023, while the remaining four were to be delivered by 2025. The program faced delays as Germany, the selected provider of MTU 396 SE84 engines, declined to provide them. 

Consequently, this led to setbacks in the program’s schedule. Now, Chinese-made SMD24 20 engines will be used for these submarines. Initial submarine delivery is expected by the end of this year or early next year, while the rest are anticipated to be delivered next year.

Former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi stated in 2020 that Pakistan Navy would acquire the Type 039A submarines from China’s Navy to commence personnel training before the induction of the Hangor class submarines.

Pakistan's submarine service traces its origins to the acquisition of Tench-Class submarines from the United States, laying the groundwork for a robust underwater fleet.

The Pakistan Navy expanded with Daphne-Class and Agosta-Class platforms from France, establishing the Pakistan Navy Dockyard for comprehensive refits. This hands-on experience culminated in domestic construction: two of three modern Agosta submarines were built locally under a Technology Transfer agreement.

By the commissioning of the last Agosta AIP (Air-Independent Propulsion) submarine, Pakistan had amassed over four decades of operational, maintenance, and construction know-how.

This expertise paved the way for the landmark 2015 contract with China's Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company Ltd (CSOC), signed during President Xi Jinping's state visit to Islamabad.

Progress is accelerating on dual fronts. The first Hangor-Class submarine is poised for commissioning "in the near future," signaling the project's maturation into a strategically vital stage.

China's four boats have been launched and are undergoing systems integration, harbour acceptance trials, and sea trials.

At KS&EW, Pakistan's quartet advances steadily, empowered by an exhaustive ToT encompassing submarine design, hull fabrication, propulsion/AIP installation, combat management, weapons integration, quality controls, and personnel training.

This ToT is transformative, aiming to forge a sustainable, indigenous submarine-building ecosystem. Pakistani engineers and technicians are gaining mastery, fortifying the nation's naval industrial base for long-term autonomy—a critical hedge against external dependencies in a volatile geopolitical landscape.

Cutting-Edge Technology: Stealth, Sensors, and Firepower

Derived from China's advanced Type 039B Yuan-Class design and customized for Pakistan Navy needs, Hangor-Class submarines boast stealth supremacy. Key features include a hydro-dynamically optimized hull, sound-absorbing coatings, raft-mounted machinery, and sophisticated acoustic dampening, slashing detectability in contested underwater arenas.

- Above-water: Radar, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), and Optronic Scopes for precise surface/air target tracking.

- Underwater: Hull-Mounted, Flank, Towed Arrays, and mine-avoidance sonars for long-range detection, mine neutralization, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

Multi-role versatility shines through six torpedo tubes launching Heavyweight Torpedoes (HWT), anti-torpedo decoys, and submarine-launched Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCMs) with land-attack options. This arsenal enables simultaneous multi-domain strikes (surface, subsurface, littoral) while upholding robust defences, enabling sea denial, Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) protection, and offensive reach to adversarial shores.

Extended operations are enabled by secure, submerged communication links to shore commands and allies, plus encrypted data networks for network-centric warfare. The AIP system's hallmark—prolonged submersion sans snorkeling—delivers littoral dominance, matching global conventional submarine endurance for sustained IOR patrols.

Reshaping Regional Naval Balance

In the intensifying Indian OOcean region maritime contest, Hangor-Class induction amplifies Pakistan's undersea edge. AIP-enhanced stealth and endurance complicate India's ASW calculus, given New Delhi's mix of conventional and nuclear submarines. Pakistan gains discreet operational freedom in chokepoints, deterring aggression and securing trade routes.

The project epitomizes Pakistan Navy's modernization zenith, layering deterrence with AIP, sensors, comms, torpedoes, and missiles. It heralds proactive sea denial and power projection, countering numerical disparities.

Sino-Pak Partnership

Beyond hardware, Hangor symbolizes enduring China-Pakistan strategic synergy, especially maritime. This collaboration not only equips Islamabad with Yuan-derived prowess but embeds self-reliance, ensuring fleet sustainability amid evolving threats.

 As the first boat nears service, Pakistan Navy eyes a "new chapter" in maritime defence. Yet challenges persist: seamless ToT absorption, crew training, and integration into joint operations. Success here could inspire further indigenous upgrades, positioning Pakistan as a formidable IOR player.

This project arrives at a tense juncture, with Indian Ocean flashpoints like the Arabian Sea demanding robust underwater capabilities. Pakistan's AIP fleet expansion may prompt regional arms races, but it unequivocally fortify Pakistan’s national security.