By Digital Spartans 
The Pakistan Navy is set to commission its first Chinese-designed Hangor-class attack submarine next year, a development that marks a significant step forward in Pakistan’s naval modernization and its strategic cooperation with China.
The announcement was made by Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, who told China’s Global Times that the $5 billion submarine deal — under which eight diesel-electric submarines will be delivered by 2028 — is “progressing smoothly.”
According to the Admiral, the new fleet will strengthen Pakistan’s maritime defense and patrol capabilities across the North Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, two vital waterways for regional trade and security.
The first four submarines are being constructed in China, while the remaining four will be assembled in Pakistan, a move aimed at bolstering local shipbuilding capacity and technical expertise. Three of the submarines have already been launched into the Yangtze River from a shipyard in Hubei province.
Admiral Ashraf said the Pakistan Navy’s collaboration with Beijing is rooted in mutual trust and shared strategic goals.
“Chinese-origin platforms and equipment have been reliable, technologically advanced, and well-suited to Pakistan Navy’s operational requirements,” he stated.
He emphasized that the Navy is also focusing on emerging warfare technologies such as unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced electronic warfare, adding that cooperation with China in these areas will deepen in the coming years.
Deepening Sino-Pak Defense Partnership
The Hangor-class submarine project is one of the largest defense collaborations between the two nations. It underscores Islamabad’s position as Beijing’s top arms customer, with over 60% of China’s weapons exports (2020–2024) going to Pakistan, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
This naval partnership complements the broader China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — a $60 billion component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Stretching over 3,000 kilometers from Xinjiang to the deep-water port of Gwadar, the corridor gives Beijing strategic access to the Arabian Sea, allowing energy imports from the Middle East to bypass the Straits of Malacca.
Analysts note that this growing maritime cooperation extends China’s influence westward toward Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, while tightening its strategic circle around India — which currently operates three nuclear-powered submarines and multiple diesel-electric variants sourced from France, Germany, and Russia.
A New Era of Naval Capability
Admiral Ashraf highlighted that Pakistan’s partnership with China now goes “beyond hardware,” reflecting a long-term vision of interoperability, research, and technology sharing.
“In the coming decade, we expect this relationship to grow, encompassing shipbuilding, training, and industrial collaboration,” he said.
As Islamabad moves closer to receiving its first Hangor-class submarine in 2026, defense observers say the addition will significantly enhance Pakistan’s underwater warfare and deterrence capabilities, positioning the Navy as a key player in the evolving security landscape of the Indian Ocean region.