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Foreign Affairs Desk | June 2026 | 4 min read |
| ⚡ QUICK TAKEAWAYS |
| • The first Hangor-class submarine has arrived at Karachi Port after being launched in April 2024. |
| • It features Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), advanced sensors, modern combat systems, and enhanced stealth. |
| • Pakistan Navy will induct a total of eight Hangor-class submarines, built in collaboration with China. |
| • The submarine was welcomed with a traditional naval ceremony, cadet salute, and a fly-past by PN Z9EC helicopters. |
| • The class is named after the original PNS Hangor, which sank INS Khukri in 1971 — the first submarine kill since WWII. |
The Pakistan Navy’s submarine fleet has reached a major milestone. PNS Hangor, the first of eight new-generation submarines built under a landmark defence cooperation agreement with China, has arrived at Karachi Port. The vessel’s arrival was marked with full naval ceremony, underscoring both the scale of Pakistan’s undersea modernisation programme and the depth of its defence relationship with Beijing.
| 8
Total Submarines Hangor-class programme |
1st
Of Class to Arrive launched April 2024 |
1971
Namesake’s Legacy sank INS Khukri |
A Major Leap in Submarine Technology
The Hangor-class submarine brings a significant technological upgrade to Pakistan’s underwater fleet. According to the Pakistan Navy, the vessel is equipped with advanced combat systems, modern sensors, Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, and enhanced stealth features. AIP technology allows a conventional (non-nuclear) submarine to operate underwater for extended periods without surfacing to recharge its batteries — a capability that dramatically improves stealth and operational endurance compared to older diesel-electric designs.
Combined with modern sensor suites and stealth shaping, these submarines represent a generational improvement over the Agosta-class boats that have formed the backbone of Pakistan’s submarine fleet for decades. The Hangor-class programme is widely viewed as central to maintaining Pakistan’s underwater deterrence capability in the Arabian Sea.
The Arrival Ceremony
PNS Hangor’s arrival at Karachi Port was marked with a traditional naval welcome attended by Pakistan Navy officers, personnel, and family members of the crew. Cadets of the Pakistan Naval Academy presented a ceremonial salute to the incoming submarine, accompanied by a fly-past of PN Z9EC helicopters. At the Pakistan Navy Dockyard, a formal reception ceremony was held with Commander Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Abdul Munib attending as chief guest.
| ⚓ THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME
The name Hangor carries deep symbolic weight in Pakistan’s naval history. The original PNS Hangor, during the 1971 Pakistan-India war, became the first submarine since World War II to sink an enemy warship — sinking the Indian Navy frigate INS Khukri. Naming the new class after this vessel links the modern fleet to one of the Pakistan Navy’s most celebrated wartime achievements. |
The Eight-Boat Programme
| Unit | Launch Date | Milestone | Current Status |
| 1st Hangor-class submarine | April 2024 | Launched | Arrived at Karachi Port (June 2026) |
| 2nd Hangor-class submarine | March 15, 2025 | Launched | In build / sea trials pipeline |
| 3rd Hangor-class submarine | August 15, 2025 | Launched | In build / sea trials pipeline |
| 4th Hangor-class submarine | December 17, 2025 | Launched | In build / sea trials pipeline |
| 5th–8th submarines | TBA | Pending | Remaining units of 8-boat programme |
The Hangor-class programme will eventually field eight submarines, built under a cooperative arrangement between Pakistan and China that reflects the broader strategic defence relationship between the two countries. The first submarine was launched in April 2024, with the second, third, and fourth launched in quick succession through 2025 — on March 15, August 15, and December 17 respectively. The arrival of the first completed vessel at Karachi Port indicates that the lead boat has completed its construction, fitting-out, and transit phases.
With four submarines already launched and the first now operational at Karachi, the programme is progressing at a pace that suggests the remaining four boats will follow over the coming years. Once fully inducted, the eight-submarine Hangor-class fleet will represent one of the most significant additions to Pakistan’s naval capability in decades, substantially enhancing the navy’s ability to project an underwater deterrent across its maritime approaches.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a statement issued by the Pakistan Navy and reporting by Dawn. Technical specifications and induction timelines for remaining Hangor-class submarines are subject to confirmation by official sources.
