With a deal for three Type 214 submarines falling through, in 2011, the Pakistan Navy (PN) started talks with China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co. Ltd (CSOC) for six air-independent propulsion (AIP)-equipped submarines. In April 2015, the Pakistani government approved the purchase, but of eight AIP-equipped submarines which, at the time, the Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) termed as the S20.
Reports about the submarine deal pegged its value at $4-5 billion US (Financial Times), but it was unlikely to include only the submarines. However, in late 2017 and early 2018, the PN signed deals for four Type 054A/P frigates from China. It is possible that the $4-5 billion US figure included those ships.
In August 2016, the Chief Project Director of the Navy’s new submarine program disclosed to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defence that the first four of these submarines are due in 2022-2023, and the remaining four by 2028. The last four will be built by Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW)
In January 2017, the then Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the PN, Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, announced that the new Chinese submarines would be christened the Hangor-class, in honour of the Daphne diesel-electric submarines (SSK) the PN procured from France in the late 1960s.
The PN did not disclose the subsystems or specific weapon systems of the new Hangor-class submarine, nor did it reveal the type of AIP the submarines will use. However, CSOC’s S26 design, which a number of observers believe the Hangor is based on, uses a Stirling AIP system. Thailand is procuring three S26Ts for $1.04 billion US, i.e., roughly $347 million US per submarine.
Hangor Submarine Specifications
During the 2018 International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS), KSEW revealed a scale mock-up of the Hangor submarine as well as some of its specifications. Like the S26 design, the Hangor model showed six torpedo tubes for heavyweight torpedoes and anti-ship cruising missiles (ASCM).
- Length: 76 m
- Displacement: 2,800 tons
- Draught: 6.2 m
- Speed: 10 knots
But the Hangor also had a number of differences, mainly a heavier displacement (2,800 tons vs. the S26’s 2,550 tons). Moreover, it appeared that KSEW did not disclose the maximum cruising of the Hangor. The Hangor’s hull was also slightly shorter (76 m vs. the S26’s 77.7 m).
Thus far, these are the only official or verifiable details of the new Hangor submarine. However, in addition to heavyweight torpedoes and ASCMs, the PN is likely to use submarine-launched cruise missiles (SLCM) from the Hangor as well, notably the Babur 3 SLCM, which has a stated range of 450 km.
Current Status of the Hangor Submarine Program
The Pakistan Navy’s Hangor-class submarine program began in April 2015 when the Ministry of Defence Production approved the purchase of eight air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines from China.
However, the program faced delays due to Germany withholding export licenses for MTU diesel engines, forcing Pakistan to switch to Chinese CHD-620 diesel engines. The COVID-19 pandemic likely caused additional setbacks.
Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made across both the Chinese-built and domestically assembled boats.
The first Chinese-built submarine, PNS/M Hangor, was launched for sea trials on April 26, 2024, from Wuchang Shipbuilding’s Shuangliu Base in Wuhan.
The second submarine, PNS/M Shushuk, was launched for sea trials on March 15, 2025, from the same facility.
The third submarine, PNS/M Mangro, was launched on August 15, 2025, marking the second Hangor-class launch of 2025.
The fourth submarine, PNS/M Ghazi, was launched for sea trials on December 17, 2025. According to the PN’s Director General of Public Relations (DGPR), all four of the Hangor-class submarines built in China are “undergoing rigorous sea trials and are in the final stages of being handed over to Pakistan.”
The PN Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Naveed Ashraf, has stated that the Hangor-class submarines will enter service with the PN in 2026. The four Chinese-built boats are expected to join the PN fleet in quick succession or as a batch, thereby giving the sub-surface fleet an immediate capability boost.
Meanwhile, construction of the KSEW-built units has also commenced. The steel cutting ceremony for the fifth submarine (first KSEW-built) took place in December 2021, and it is currently in an “advanced stage of construction.” The keel laying ceremony for the sixth submarine (second KSEW-built) was held on February 15, 2025, at KSEW.
Originally, all eight boats were scheduled for delivery by 2028. However, pandemic-related delays and Germany’s refusal to issue export permits for the original MTU diesel engine pushed the timeline for the KSEW-built boats, likely into the early 2030s.
To prepare for the Hangor-class induction, Pakistan announced in 2020 that China would send a Yuan-class submarine on lease for training purposes.
Strategic Significance: Reshaping Pakistan’s Maritime A2/AD Posture
The Hangor-class represents a transformative shift in the PN’s subsurface capabilities. Once all eight boats are inducted, the PN will operate a fleet of at least 11 AIP-equipped submarines, giving it one of the largest subsurface fleets of this nature in Asia.
As Quwa’s analysis on how the Hangor-class reshapes Pakistan’s maritime A2/AD posture explains, the design of the Hangor – derived from the Yuan-class, which was built for long-range, long-endurance operations in open waters – positions the PN to extend its anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) lines deep into the Indian Ocean, pushing contested waters farther from Pakistan’s core maritime zones and closer to potential adversaries.
This blue-water capability would complement the PN’s smaller Agosta 70 and 90B submarines, as well as the planned shallow water attack submarines (SWATS), which would be the primary assets for defending littoral waters closer to Pakistani ports.
Note: Quwa will update this page as the PN and/or KSEW disclose additional details.
Recent Developments
- April 2024: Lead boat PNS/M Hangor launched for sea trials at Wuchang Shipbuilding, Wuhan.
- March 2025: Second boat PNS/M Shushuk launched for sea trials.
- August 2025: Third boat PNS/M Mangro launched at Wuchang Shipbuilding.
- December 2025: Fourth boat PNS/M Ghazi launched for sea trials; all four Chinese-built boats in final handover stages.
- February 2025: Keel laying ceremony for sixth submarine (second KSEW-built) at Karachi.
Learn More About the Pakistan Navy’s Submarine Modernization
- Extending Deterrence: How the Hangor-Class Reshapes Pakistan’s Maritime A2/AD Posture
- The Wait is Almost Over: Pakistan’s Newest Chinese-Built Submarines Will Soon Join the Fleet
- Wuchang Shipyard Launches Third Hangor-Class Submarine for Pakistan Navy
- The Pakistan Navy Rises (Part 4): The Silent Service | Read Now
- Pakistan’s Anti-Access/Area-Denial Options: Submarines | Read Now
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