Summary Pakistan Navy’s first Hangor-class submarine, PNS Hangor, arrives in Karachi after its commissioning in China.
KARACHI (Dunya News) – The Pakistan Navy’s first Hangor-class submarine, PNS Hangor, has arrived in Pakistan after being commissioned earlier in China, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing naval modernisation programme.
The submarine’s arrival in Karachi was accompanied by naval aviation assets, including Z-9C helicopters, as well as surface fleet escorts such as frigates.
The induction is expected to proceed with formal ceremonies in the coming days as the vessel integrates into operational service.
Dear Nation
— Pakistan Strategic Forum (@ForumStrategic) June 11, 2026
The Guardian of your seas, the slayer, the shark, the destroyer, the mighty PNS Hangor has arrived at Karachi, Islamic Republic of Pakistan escorted by the Pakistan Naval Aviation Z-9C Helicopters & surface fleet mainly Frigates. pic.twitter.com/rBjwUg4C5w
Advanced capability
The Hangor-class submarines are diesel-electric attack submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, enabling extended submerged endurance and reduced need to surface frequently. This capability significantly enhances stealth operations and operational reach in contested waters. The submarines are designed to deploy a range of advanced weapon systems, including torpedoes and cruise missiles, with the Pakistan Navy previously noting compatibility with both Chinese and locally produced armaments. Among these is the Babur-III submarine-launched cruise missile, which is described as nuclear-capable, adding a strategic deterrence dimension to the platform.
The class is part of a broader programme involving eight submarines, aimed at progressively replacing older platforms and strengthening Pakistan’s underwater fleet. Officials have highlighted that the introduction of these submarines will enhance surveillance, deterrence and combat readiness across key maritime zones.
Strategic commissioning
The first vessel of the series was formally commissioned earlier in April in Sanya, China, during a ceremony attended by President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf. At the time, the leadership described the induction as a milestone in Pakistan’s naval modernisation and a reflection of the strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China. Naval officials emphasised that the platform would contribute to safeguarding Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), particularly in the Arabian Sea and wider Indian Ocean region.
First HANGOR class submarine commissioned into Pakistan Navy in China
Admiral Naveed Ashraf has previously highlighted the increasing importance of technologically advanced submarines in maintaining maritime stability, particularly in the context of global trade routes passing through critical choke points. He noted that modern underwater platforms are essential for deterrence and for ensuring a stable, rules-based maritime order.
Fleet expansion
The Hangor name carries historical significance for the Pakistan Navy, tracing back to the 1971 conflict when the original PNS Hangor became the first submarine after the Second World War to sink an enemy warship, targeting the Indian frigate INS Khukri. The legacy vessel is now preserved at the Pakistan Maritime Museum in Karachi.
According to official updates, multiple units of the Hangor-class programme have already been launched in China in phases since 2024 and 2025, reflecting steady progress in the multi-unit production line. The arrival of PNS Hangor in Pakistan signals the transition from construction and commissioning abroad to operational integration at home, as the navy prepares to expand its underwater operational capabilities in the coming years.
