China delivers first Hangor-class submarines to Pakistan
In a significant move, China has handed over the first of eight Hangor-class submarines to Pakistan. The event took place at the Shuangliu Base of Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group (WSIG) in Wuhan, marking a deepening of military ties between the two nations. High-ranking officials from both countries were present at the ceremony, where Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff, stated that these submarines would "add a new dimension to the ever-tested Pakistan-China friendship."
Why does this story matter?
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reveals that Beijing continues to be Pakistan's primary weapons supplier, providing 82% of its arms imports from 2019 to 2023. This is an increase from 69% during the period from 2014 to 2018. Interestingly, over half (61%) of China's total global arms exports between 2019 and 2023 were sent to Pakistan.
Details of the Hangor-Class submarines revealed
The submarines are a modified version of China's Type 039B Yuan-class submarines. These vessels displace 2,800 tons and measure 76 meters in length and 8.4 meters in width. The agreement for their construction was finalized during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan in 2015. Later, a deal was signed between Pakistani government and China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company Ltd (CSOC). Interestingly, the handover comes days after Former PM Nawaz Sharif visited China for an apparent medical checkup.
Submarines named after PNS Hangor that sank Indian frigate
The submarines bear the name of PNS Hangor, a diesel-electric attack submarine that sank an Indian frigate during the war in 1971. They are equipped with four diesel engines and an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, enhancing their underwater endurance. Each submarine comes with six 21-inch torpedo tubes and can launch anti-ship missiles as well as the Babur-3 subsonic cruise missile with a range of 450km.
Construction and delivery of Hangor-Class submarines
WSIG will construct four of these submarines while Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) will build the remaining under a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement. A retired senior naval officer from Pakistan estimated that this contract could be worth between $4 billion and $5 billion. Although all eight vessels were initially planned for delivery between 2022 and 2028, the first submarine was only launched in 2024.
Hangor-class submarines strengthen Pakistan-China military cooperation
On Tuesday, admiral Ashraf emphasized that the Hangor-class S/M Project will "show strong military cooperation between two countries." This statement follows Pakistan's initiation of manufacturing its sixth Hangor-class submarine at KS&EW earlier this year. Last year also saw the induction of two Chinese Type 054A/P frigates into the Pakistani Navy fleet, further strengthening their military ties.
