In a significant development for Pakistan’s armed forces, the launching ceremony of the first Hangor-class submarine built for the Pakistan Navy by China took place on Friday.
The ceremony, held at Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group’s (WSIG) Shuangliu Base, was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Naveed Ashraf.
This milestone is part of an agreement between Islamabad and Beijing, wherein China committed to providing Pakistan with eight state-of-the-art advanced submarines.
Out of these eight vessels, four are being constructed by WSIG, while the remaining four are being built at KS&EW under a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement.
These submarines boast advanced stealth features and will be equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, allowing them to operate in multi-threat environments and engage targets at stand-off ranges.
Addressing the ceremony as the chief guest, CNS Ashraf highlighted the significance of maritime security in the current geo-strategic environment. He reiterated the navy’s commitment to ensuring regional peace and stability.
CNS Ashraf also stressed that the Hangor-class S/M Project signifies a new chapter in the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China, showcasing strong military cooperation between the two nations.
Friday’s launch ceremony follows Pakistan’s commencement of the manufacturing of the 6th Hangor-class submarine by KS&EW in February this year.
Pakistan maintains close military ties with China, with bilateral relations encompassing various arms imports from Beijing.
In 2022, the Pakistan Navy inducted two newly built Chinese Type 054 A/P frigates, with the contract for four multi-role frigates being signed in 2018. The first two ships, PNS TUGHRIL and PNS TAIMUR, joined the PN fleet in 2022.
