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Pakistan Strengthens Stealth Submarine Capabilities with Launch of Second Hangor-class in China.
On March 15, 2025, the Pakistan Navy launched its second Hangor-class submarine, PNS/M Shushuk, during a ceremony held in Wuhan, China. This event is part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to expand its submarine fleet and modernize its maritime defense capabilities. The ceremony was attended by the Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ovais Ahmed Bilgrami, who emphasized the strategic importance of this acquisition in the current geopolitical environment and its role in safeguarding national interests.
Pakistan Navy's first Hangor-class submarine was launched on April 28, 2024 (Picture source: by78/SDF)
This submarine is part of an agreement signed in 2015 between Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense and China Shipbuilding and Offshore International Company (CSOC) during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Islamabad. The deal includes a total of eight submarines, with four being built in China and the remaining four under construction in Pakistan at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) under a technology transfer program. This project reinforces the long-standing strategic partnership between Pakistan and China in the defense sector and highlights the increasing cooperation between the two nations.
Like other Hangor-class submarines, PNS/M Shushuk is designed to offer advanced stealth and acoustic capabilities, making it more difficult to detect by enemy systems. It is equipped with modern weaponry and sensors, enabling precision strikes from standoff distances. According to various sources, the Hangor class is based on China’s Type 039A Yuan-class submarine design, with a capacity for 38 crew members and eight additional spaces for special forces troops. It is armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, contributing to Pakistan’s deterrence capabilities in the Indian Ocean region.
The modernization of Pakistan’s submarine fleet aligns with its broader naval expansion strategy. In 2018, Pakistan signed an agreement with Türkiye for the acquisition of four MILGEM-class corvettes, while a Turkish shipyard was tasked with upgrading the Agosta 90B-class submarines currently in service with the Pakistan Navy. These initiatives reflect Pakistan’s aim to enhance its naval strength, particularly in light of growing regional tensions and its strategic competition with India.
The Hangor-class submarine program has faced some delays compared to the original schedule. Initial deliveries planned between 2022 and 2023, have been pushed back, with the first submarine launched only in 2024. The remaining submarines are expected to be delivered by 2028, significantly enhancing Pakistan’s underwater warfare capabilities. Although Pakistani authorities have not disclosed specific details regarding the submarines' weapon and propulsion systems, experts suggest that the Hangor class may incorporate the Stirling Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system used in China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company’s (CSOC) S26 design.
Currently, the Pakistan Navy operates three Agosta 90B submarines equipped with an air-independent propulsion system and two Agosta 70 diesel-electric submarines. Under a modernization program launched in 2016 and contracted to Turkish company STM, these submarines have been upgraded with new fire control systems, sonar suites, electronic warfare systems, radars, and periscope systems. The first upgraded submarine, PNS Hamza, was delivered in 2020.
The induction of Hangor-class submarines will significantly enhance Pakistan’s anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) capabilities in the Indian Ocean. While no official confirmation has been provided regarding their weapon systems, these submarines could likely be equipped with Babur-3 submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM), providing Pakistan with long-range strike capabilities. This development plays a key role in Pakistan’s naval strategy, particularly in the context of its competition with India.
The acquisition of these submarines underscores Pakistan’s commitment to modernizing its navy and strengthening its strategic partnership with China. It is part of a broader effort to enhance Pakistan’s defense capabilities in response to regional security challenges. With the introduction of these new platforms, Pakistan aims to solidify its position in the strategic balance of the Indian Ocean and safeguard its maritime interests amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.