Pakistan holds keel laying ceremony for 2nd Hangor class submarine.

According to information published by the Pakistan MoD on February 14, 2024, the keel-laying ceremony for the second Hangor class submarine took place at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW). Representatives from the Embassy of China were present at the event.
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Keel laying ceremony for the second Hangor class submarine. (Picture source: Pakistan MoD)

The Hangor-class submarines are diesel-electric attack submarines being developed through a partnership between the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) and Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) for the Pakistan Navy.

Named after the Pakistan Navy's former Daphné-class submarines in service from 1970 to 2006, this new class is an export version of the Chinese Type 039A/041 attack submarine, utilized by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). These submarines are intended for operations within Pakistan's exclusive economic zone, equipped with heavyweight torpedoes and anti-ship cruise missiles.

In 2015, the Pakistan Ministry of Defence ordered eight of these submarines from China, in a deal valued at approximately 4 to 5 billion USD, marking it as China's largest military export contract to date. The construction plan divides the work between CSIC and KSEW, with the first four units being built in China and the remaining four in Pakistan, thanks to a technology transfer agreement.

Technical data

They measure 76 meters (249 feet 4 inches) in length, have a beam of 8.4 meters (27 feet 7 inches), and a draught of 6.2 meters (20 feet 4 inches). These submarines are powered by four CSOC CHD620 diesel engines and feature a Stirling-powered air-independent propulsion system, enabling a top speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).

The armament of the Hangor-class submarines is robust, equipped with six 533 mm (21 inches) torpedo tubes for deploying torpedoes and missiles. The submarines are capable of launching the Babur 3 submarine-launched cruise missile, YJ-82 anti-ship missiles, and Yu-6 torpedoes.