Hangor Class Submarine | Updates & Discussion

[Ali_Baba]

Exclusive: First batch of submarines under China-Pakistan cooperation project to enter service next year, says Pakistani naval chief
By
Liu Xuanzun
and Bai YunyiPublished: Nov 02, 2025 06:15 PM

The launch ceremony of the Pakistan Navy's third Hangor-class submarine is held in China in August 2025. Photo: Courtesy of the Pakistan Navy

The first batch of Hangor-class submarines under a China-Pakistan cooperation project is expected to enter operational service with the Pakistan Navy in 2026, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, told the Global Times in a recent exclusive interview. He said that the Hangor-class submarine program is progressing smoothly, and that the successful launch of the second and third submarines in China earlier this year is a major milestone for naval collaboration between China and Pakistan.

Pakistan signed a contract with China to procure eight Hangor-class conventional submarines in 2015, with the first four to be constructed by China and the rest to be assembled by Pakistan, so as to improve Pakistan's technical capabilities, according to open reports. According to the plan, Pakistan will acquire eight advanced submarines between 2022 and 2028. The first Hangor-class conventionally powered submarine was launched in China in April 2024, while the second and third vessels were consecutively launched this year.

Ashraf spoke highly of this China-Pakistan cooperation project. He said that the project is not only significant for advancement of the Pakistan Navy's submarine force capabilities, but will also contribute toward self-reliance through transfer of technology and skill development at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works. It reflects professionalism and close naval equipment collaboration between China and Pakistan.

Ordered in 2015? Wow - this project has taken a very very long time to come to fruition. 11 years from the initial order date, they are now arriving.

 

[maverick]

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any news on Pakistans Nuclear sub? still tracking it btw 2028-2030
?

 

[Toxic]

Are they based on the type 39bs or C?

 

[Ak01]

Are they based on the type 39bs or C?

type 039 bravo

 

[Fatman17]

Ordered in 2015? Wow - this project has taken a very very long time to come to fruition. 11 years from the initial order date, they are now arriving.

Delays because Germany refused to provide the engine

 

[KingQamaR]

any news on Pakistans Nuclear sub? still tracking it btw 2028-2030
?

I dunno, 2028/2030 sounds way too ambitious designing the technology and building something like a Nuke SSns? Pakistan should consider a partnership with China for Nuclear Attack Submarines help ?

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

any news on Pakistans Nuclear sub? still tracking it btw 2028-2030
?

lol forget it

 

[RandomThoughts7]

any news on Pakistans Nuclear sub? still tracking it btw 2028-2030
?

Hi, Pakistan should pursue a similar framework which China to what Australia has done with the UK/USA under the Aukus framework.

What is Aukus, the submarine deal between Australia, UK and US?

The deal is expected to be the focus of talks between US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday.

www.bbc.com

South Korea is also getting help from the USA on nuclear submarines.

USA gives South Korea Green Light to Build Nuclear Submarines - Naval News

U.S President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S government has given the go ahead for South Korea to build Nuclear Submarines on U.S soil.

www.navalnews.com

 

[FuturePAF]

I dunno, 2028/2030 sounds way too ambitious designing the technology and building something like a Nuke SSns? Pakistan should consider a partnership with China for Nuclear Attack Submarines help ?

Once the Chinese have the Type 095 in full rate production and the technology from the Type 093B is considered old for them, that Sub class and its reactor tech will probably be up for offer in a follow on class. Either the Type 093B or a smaller reactor version cleared for export. Maybe a 100 MW reactor fitted inside a version of the Type 039C.

It’s probably an acquisition on consideration for the 2030s.

 

[albert_008]

Once the Chinese have the Type 095 in full rate production and the technology from the Type 093B is considered old for them, that Sub class and its reactor tech will probably be up for offer in a follow on class. Either the Type 093B or a smaller reactor version cleared for export. Maybe a 100 MW reactor fitted inside a version of the Type 039C.

It’s probably an acquisition on consideration for the 2030s.

As you predict ,the long waited small reactor version of 039 is in Wuhan

 

[SABRE]

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Considering the period of our initial interest in the German Type-214 (& the offer of French Marlin Class before that), it is my opinion, that we are running, at least, 10 years behind submarine acquisition.

 

[FuturePAF]

As you predict ,the long waited small reactor version of 039 is in Wuhan

I think that is a picture from a year or two ago. Also, I’m just extrapolating on commentary across many China watchers, and the analysis of Pakistan and China being a threshold alliance.

Considering it would look obvious if Pakistan procured 3-4 Type 093B subs, that the relationship is an alliance.

But if Pakistan did a follow on order of 8 Type 039C (5 attack and 3 with 8-12 VLS for Small SLBMs) it would not raise alarms, considering Pakistan already would be making the Hangor class.

Technology from the type 095 could be applied to the type 039C, so Pakistan could get the most modern sub, and the reactor tech could also be just one step behind China’s cutting edge stuff.

Considering the power requirements for a 4000 ton sub, I estimate (roughly) a 100 MW reactor would be required to be competitive in terms of performance. Alternatively, if we go by the old Skipjack class of the USN at about 3500 tons, which had a 78 MW reactor and the LA class boats at 6000 tons and 150-160 mw reactor, the Hangors are under 3000 tons. So if a follow on design uses one of the type 093b’s current reactors (it is said to have two 75 mw reactors), than it could still perform competitively.

Also 8 small SSNs/SSBNs allows Pakistan to operate with distributed lethality. One sub could be in the Bay of Bengal, while another near the Maldives, harassing the Indian navy patrols there. That wouldn’t be possible if Pakistan went with larger and fewer boats.

 

[KingQamaR]

Considering the period of our initial interest in the German Type-214 (& the offer of French Marlin Class before that), it is my opinion, that we are running, at least, 10 years behind submarine acquisition.

I believe the Type U-214 German Boats deal was accepted by the German Government and the deal was 99% completed? The U-boat 214 was best you can buy then. It all fell through?

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

any news on Pakistans Nuclear sub? still tracking it btw 2028-2030
?

lol we have no R&D capability to develop it on our own, look at India first it leased Russian sub to how maintain/operate and train their personals to how to R&D and develop nuke subs than they are able to develop nuke sub, If Pakistan want to develop nuke subs same procedures must be followed, First we need to lease older Chinese nuclear sub like Han class to train/maintain/operate nuclear subs than we are able to do R&D/develop nuke sub and don't expect China could share you miniature nuclear reactor tech for nuclear sub with Pakistan

Developing nuclear submarines is one of the most complex and hardest things on Earth, and last there is no shortcut to developing nuclear submarines

 

[jamal18]

any news on Pakistans Nuclear sub? still tracking it btw 2028-2030
?

Absolutely no expert so do inform me. I thought that these would be retrofitted with a Pakistani designed nuclear reactor, and that would be the Pakistani nuclear submarine.