Pakistan’s first Hangor-class submarine, being built with Chinese cooperation under a $5 billion defense agreement, is expected to join the Pakistan Navy’s active service next year.
According to Pakistan’s Naval Chief, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, the agreement for the delivery of eight submarines by 2028 is progressing smoothly.
He stated that these advanced submarines will significantly enhance Pakistan’s surveillance and operational capabilities in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.
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Under the agreement, the first four submarines are being constructed in China, while the remaining four will be assembled in Pakistan to promote local technical expertise.
So far, three submarines have already been launched into the Yangtze River in China’s Hubei province.
Admiral Ashraf emphasized that “Chinese-made platforms are not only reliable but technologically advanced and well-suited to the operational needs of the Pakistan Navy.”
He added that the Navy is focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI), unmanned systems, and electronic warfare technologies to meet the requirements of modern warfare, and Pakistan is exploring collaboration with China in these domains.
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The deal is expected to further strengthen defense and industrial cooperation between Pakistan and China. According to Admiral Ashraf, this collaboration includes training, technology sharing, research, and industrial partnerships, not just weapons procurement.
Pakistan has long been China’s largest defense client. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2020 and 2024, 60% of China’s total arms exports were sent to Pakistan.
In addition to defense collaboration, China has also constructed a 3,000-kilometer-long corridor under the CPEC project, connecting Gwadar Port to Xinjiang province in western China.
This initiative forms a key part of Beijing’s Belt and Road policy, aimed at establishing a secure maritime route for energy supplies from the Middle East.
Progress in Defense Cooperation
Under the agreement, the first four submarines are being constructed in China, while the remaining four will be assembled in Pakistan to promote local technical expertise.
So far, three submarines have already been launched into the Yangtze River in China’s Hubei province.
Admiral Ashraf emphasized that “Chinese-made platforms are not only reliable but technologically advanced and well-suited to the operational needs of the Pakistan Navy.”
He added that the Navy is focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI), unmanned systems, and electronic warfare technologies to meet the requirements of modern warfare, and Pakistan is exploring collaboration with China in these domains.
Latest updates
Strategic Partnership with China
The deal is expected to further strengthen defense and industrial cooperation between Pakistan and China. According to Admiral Ashraf, this collaboration includes training, technology sharing, research, and industrial partnerships, not just weapons procurement.
Pakistan has long been China’s largest defense client. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2020 and 2024, 60% of China’s total arms exports were sent to Pakistan.
In addition to defense collaboration, China has also constructed a 3,000-kilometer-long corridor under the CPEC project, connecting Gwadar Port to Xinjiang province in western China.
This initiative forms a key part of Beijing’s Belt and Road policy, aimed at establishing a secure maritime route for energy supplies from the Middle East.
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