Senior officials of the Pakistan Navy are considering a sustained naval presence in the Bay of Bengal using the newly commissioned Hangor-class submarine [1, 2].
This potential shift in strategy marks a significant expansion of Pakistan's maritime reach. By operating in these waters, Pakistan aims to counter perceived Indian maritime upgrades and re-establish a strategic footprint in a region it has not patrolled in over five decades [1, 2].
The movement follows the commissioning of the PNS Hangor on April 30, 2026 [3]. The vessel, which was built in China, arrived in Karachi in early May 2026 [2]. The PNS Hangor is the first of eight planned submarines in the class [4, 5].
The broader Hangor-class submarine program carries a cost of $5 billion [3]. With the addition of this new vessel, Pakistan's fleet strength of Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP)-equipped submarines has reached four [6].
Naval officials said they are discussing the deployment as a means to reopen a dormant front [2]. The last time Pakistan maintained a naval presence in the Bay of Bengal was in 1971 [1].
“Pakistan is weighing a sustained naval presence in the Bay of Bengal for the first time since 1971.”
The potential deployment of AIP-equipped submarines into the Bay of Bengal represents a tactical escalation in the Indian Ocean. By extending its operational reach beyond its immediate coastal waters, Pakistan is attempting to challenge India's maritime dominance in the eastern theater, potentially complicating regional security dynamics and increasing the risk of naval encounters.
