The Pakistan Navy commissioned its first Hangor-class attack submarine, the PNS Hangor, during a ceremony in Sanya, China, on April 30, 2026 [1].
The acquisition marks a significant shift in the regional naval balance. By integrating advanced Chinese submarine technology, Pakistan aims to enhance its underwater warfare capabilities and deter potential maritime threats in the Indian Ocean.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf attended the event in Sanya [1]. Officials said the commissioning of the PNS Hangor is a major milestone in the modernization of Pakistan's naval defense capabilities [2]. This vessel is part of a broader strategic partnership between Islamabad and Beijing to upgrade the Pakistani fleet.
While most reports identify this as the first vessel of its class to be commissioned [1], some reports suggest a Chinese shipyard has completed a second submarine for the navy [3]. This discrepancy highlights the ongoing nature of the procurement project and the scale of the production timeline in China.
The Hangor-class submarines are designed to provide enhanced stealth and strike capabilities. These vessels allow the Pakistan Navy to conduct long-range patrols and maintain a more persistent presence in contested waters, a key goal of the country's current maritime strategy.
The ceremony in Sanya serves as a formal induction of the vessel into the active fleet [4]. The vessel will now undergo final preparations before transitioning to operational duties in Pakistani waters.
“The Pakistan Navy commissioned its first Hangor-class attack submarine, the PNS Hangor.”
The induction of the Hangor-class submarine signals a deepening military interdependence between Pakistan and China. By shifting toward Chinese-built attack submarines, Pakistan is reducing its reliance on Western hardware while specifically countering the naval expansion of regional rivals. This move strengthens the 'strategic partnership' between the two nations, moving beyond economic cooperation into high-end military procurement.
