Hangor Class Submarine | Updates & Discussion

[Muji.Iqbal]

First of 8 Hangor-class submarines arrives from China​

Shazia Hasan Published June 12, 2026



HELICOPTERS hover over the Hangor submarine upon its arrival in Karachi on Thursday.—Dawn
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KARACHI: The Hangor Class submarine, PNS/M Hangor — the first of a new fleet of Chinese-built diesel-electric attack submarines — arrived in Karachi from China on Thursday evening.

The PNS/M Hangor marks a transformative step towards Pakistan Navy’s modernisation and reflects the strong strategic defence cooperation between Pakistan and China.

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The sight of it emerging in the vastness of the Arabian Sea upon its arrival was not just the arrival of a submarine, it was a new symbol of Pakistan’s naval power, defensive self-confidence and modern military capabilities.

According to experts of naval warfare, by joining the Pakistan Navy fleet, this submarine will not only further strengthen the country’s maritime defence, but will also play an important role in the balance of power and maritime security in the region.


The name ‘Hangor’ is a symbol of courage, skill and professional excellence in Pakistan’s naval history. In the 1971 India-Pakistan war, PN’s submarine Hangor made history by sinking the Indian Navy’s warship Khukri, while severely damaging another warship, the Kirpan.

Continuing this historic and proud tradition, the new Hangor-class submarines have been given this name.

This modern submarine, manufactured in China, is equipped with the latest combat systems, sensors, sonar, radar and weapons. It has advanced stealth technology that gives it the ability to operate effectively while remaining hidden from enemy’s sight.

In addition, this submarine is capable of carrying long-range torpedoes and cruise missiles.

A prominent feature of the PNS/M Hangor is its Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, and enhanced stealth features, which will augment Pakistan Navy’s combat capability.

Upon its arrival, a reception ceremony was held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard where the submarine was accorded a traditional naval welcome. Commander Pakistan Fleet, Vice Admiral Abdul Munib, graced the occasion as the chief guest.

The ceremony was also attended by senior naval officers, families of the crew, and Pakistan Navy personnel. Cadets of Pakistan Naval Academy presented a ceremonial salute to the incoming submarine and its crew, accompanied by a fly-past by PN Z9EC helicopters.

The submarine was commissioned in the Chinese city of Sanya on April 30 during a ceremony, which was also attended by the President Asif Ali Zardari and the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.

Pakistan had signed an agreement with China for the acquisition of eight Hangor-class submarines, under which four submarines are being built in China, while the remaining four will be built in Pakistan by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.

President, premier congratulate PN

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday congratulated the Pakistan Navy on the inclusion of PNS/M Hangor submarine in its fleet, APP adds.

Describing it as a significant milestone in strengthening Pakistans maritime defence capabilities, the president thanked the government and people of China for their valued cooperation.

“The Hangor project reflects the strong strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China in the defense sector,” President Zardari said, adding that Pakistan remains committed to promoting peace, stability, and balance in the region while strengthening its defence capabilities.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the Hangor fleet as a significant achievement for the country’s maritime defence.

He said the Hangor Submarine Project was a manifestation of the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China and reflected the strong strategic cooperation between the two countries in the defence sector.

He said the induction of the PNS/M Hangor marked an important milestone in Pakistan’s journey towards defence and self-reliance.

Held out the assurance that his government would continue to provide all possible resources to enhance the capabilities of the country’s security forces.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2026

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Shazia Hasan is a senior staff reporter for Dawn. Her reporting covers human interest stories, the armed forces, Railways, education, and fishing communities.

First of 8 Hangor-class submarines arrives from China

KARACHI: The Hangor Class submarine, PNS/M Hangor — the first of a new fleet of Chinese-built diesel-electric...

www.dawn.com

 

[Aamir Hussain]

I think the first being built in KSEW could be launched by end of this year. Here's few months old satellite photo:

View attachment 201624

This is a Khalid class sub not a Hangor. The silhouette of the sail in the shadow cast by the sub itself shows that it is a Khalid class sub and not a Hangor. Also, they would not be fitting out the new sub in the open and without the propeller being shrouded.

 

[Pakistan First]

This is a Khalid class sub not a Hangor. The silhouette of the sail in the shadow cast by the sub itself shows that it is a Khalid class sub and not a Hangor. Also, they would not be fitting out the new sub in the open and without the propeller being shrouded.

Yep Already discussed.

Oh yes, I didn't noticed only measured it, thought only hangors are 77 meters. Its around 76-77 meters same length as Hangors. Standard Agosta 90b are 67 meters. But the AIP ones equipped with MESMA are i think same length as Hangors. So yes this is khalid class.

View attachment 201664

 

[SBD-3]

I think the first being built in KSEW could be launched by end of this year. Here's few months old satellite photo:

View attachment 201624

I do not think Pakistan’s Hangor-class submarines will be built domestically anytime soon. Constructing a modern submarine is not simply a matter of assembling the platform itself; it requires developing an entire industrial and logistical ecosystem around it. With the first Hangor just arriving this month, the Pakistan Navy is still at the beginning of the learning curve in terms of builsing, operations, maintenance, training, and supply-chain management.

There is certainly a possibility that Pakistani engineers and technicians are already gaining valuable experience by working alongside their Chinese counterparts. However, acquiring technical know-how is only one part of the equation. The industrial infrastructure needed to build submarines at scale simply does not yet exist in Pakistan, nor can it currently match the speed, efficiency, and economies of scale that Chinese shipyards have achieved after decades of investment.

Another often-overlooked aspect is the viability of downstream industries that would support a domestic submarine-building program. Take the steel industry as an example. Why would a Pakistani manufacturer make substantial investments in specialized submarine-grade production facilities if the total domestic demand amounts to only four or eight submarines? The economics simply do not justify such investments unless there is a larger and more sustained production pipeline.

This is where I believe the Pakistan Navy needs to make the numbers work. If I were the Naval Chief, I would explore bringing partners such as Türkiye and Saudi Arabia into the broader program. Türkiye is already pursuing an indigenous submarine capability and Pakistan has developed a productive working relationship with Turkish defense firms such as STM. There may also be merit in aligning the Pakistan Navy’s future Shallow Water Attack Submarine requirements with the Hangor program to create a larger, more sustainable production base.

Scale matters. A program involving a significantly larger fleet—potentially incorporating multiple variants optimized for different missions—would provide stronger incentives for domestic suppliers, shipyards, and supporting industries to invest for the long term. Beyond industrial benefits, a larger and more standardized submarine force would generate substantial logistical, maintenance, training, and operational efficiencies. The real challenge is not building a few submarines; it is creating an ecosystem that can sustain and evolve the capability for decades.