Pakistan has received its first Chinese-built Hangor-class submarine to enhance its naval capabilities [1], [2].
The acquisition marks a significant shift in regional maritime strategy. By expanding its underwater fleet, Pakistan aims to establish a strategic presence in the Bay of Bengal, a region where it has maintained a limited footprint since the 1971 war [1].
The submarine was commissioned in April 2026 [2]. It arrived at the naval base in Karachi in early May 2026 [1], [2]. This vessel is the first of eight advanced Hangor-class submarines that Pakistan intends to acquire from China [2].
A senior Pakistan Navy officer, holding the rank of commodore, said the new Hangor-class submarine will give Pakistan the ability to maintain a presence in the Bay of Bengal [1]. While some reports suggest the vessel could be used to pressure neighbors, other sources said the commissioning is intended to boost general naval capability rather than to threaten India [2].
The deployment to the Bay of Bengal would represent the first time Pakistan has operated submarines in those waters since 1971 [1]. Current reports indicate the vessel has arrived in Karachi, though operational deployment to the Bay of Bengal has not yet occurred [2].
The partnership with China for the construction of these eight vessels reflects a deepening defense relationship between the two nations [2]. The Hangor-class submarines are designed to provide stealth and endurance, allowing the Pakistan Navy to monitor wider swaths of the Indian Ocean.
“The new Hangor-class submarine will give Pakistan the ability to maintain a presence in the Bay of Bengal.”
The introduction of Chinese-built submarines allows Pakistan to project power beyond its traditional coastal waters. By targeting the Bay of Bengal, Pakistan is challenging the maritime status quo that has existed for over five decades, potentially altering the strategic balance of power in the Indian Ocean and increasing the likelihood of naval encounters in contested waters.
