The Pakistan Navy announced on Thursday the country is building a highly advanced submarine with China’s help after a steel cutting ceremony was held at Karachi Shipyard.
China shares strategic ties with Pakistan and is one of the biggest weapons suppliers of its armed forces. Apart from the joint shipbuilding venture, Beijing also partnered with the Pakistan Air Force to mutually manufacture JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
“The submarine is built in collaboration with China and will be equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and command and control systems,” the navy said in a statement.
It added the warship would have the ability to hit different kinds of targets.
Announcing the development on Twitter, the navy said the 5th HANGOR Class Submarine was “the first to be built indigenously in Pakistan.”
The official statement also said the joint China-Pakistan project reflected the strong defense ties between the two countries.
The authorities have decided to name the highly advanced submarine after the commanding officer of Pakistan Navy Ship HANGOR in 1971 by calling it PNSM Tasnim.
Last month China delivered the first Type 054A/P frigate to the Pakistan Navy, the largest and most advanced warship in the country.
The frigate was designed and built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation.
Named PNS Tughril, it is the first of four frigates that China is building for Pakistan under a deal signed in 2017.
