Pakistan to commission first Chinese-built submarine in 2026 under $5 billion defense deal
Pakistan’s first Chinese-designed Hangor-class submarine is expected to enter active service by 2026, marking a significant milestone in the country’s $5 billion defense partnership with Beijing, according to Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf.
In an interview with China’s Global Times published Sunday, Admiral Ashraf said the ambitious project to deliver eight advanced diesel-electric submarines by 2028 is “progressing smoothly.” The new vessels, he added, will greatly enhance Pakistan’s maritime surveillance, deterrence, and combat capabilities across the North Arabian Sea and the wider Indian Ocean region.
The Hangor-class deal is one of Pakistan’s largest-ever defense procurements and a central pillar of its expanding military cooperation with China. Under the agreement, the first four submarines are being constructed in China, while the remaining four will be assembled at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works, strengthening Pakistan’s indigenous shipbuilding and technical expertise.
Three submarines have already been launched into the Yangtze River from a shipyard in China’s Hubei province, signaling that production is on track.
“Chinese-origin platforms and equipment have consistently proven reliable, technologically sophisticated, and operationally compatible with Pakistan Navy’s strategic requirements,” Admiral Ashraf said. “The Navy is also looking to deepen cooperation with China in emerging domains such as artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and advanced electronic warfare.”
Defense analysts say the Hangor-class submarines—based on China’s Type 039A Yuan-class—will significantly upgrade Pakistan’s underwater strike capabilities, including stealth operations and long-endurance patrols.
The update comes months after Pakistan’s Air Force reportedly used Chinese-built J-10C fighter jets in May to down an Indian Rafale aircraft, highlighting the growing battlefield presence of Chinese defense technology in South Asia.
China remains Pakistan’s largest defense supplier, accounting for more than 60% of its arms imports between 2020 and 2024, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The collaboration is viewed as part of Beijing’s broader strategy to strengthen its foothold in the Indian Ocean and balance India’s growing naval influence.
Security experts note that with these submarines, Pakistan could extend its operational range from the Arabian Sea toward the Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea, areas critical for energy supply routes and regional power projection.
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