IRIA News

By Sana Jamal

Pakistan’s navy achieved a milestone in its submarine development project this week with the beginning of the construction of two Hangor-class submarines at Karachi Shipyard.

Pakistan marked the keel laying of its fifth and steel cutting of the sixth Hangor-class submarine on December 24 in Karachi. The first four are under production in China.

Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi along with China Shipbuilding Offshore Company (CSOC) and Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) officials activated the button that marks the ceremonial first cut known as the steel cutting ceremony.

The event also featured the keel laying, which signifies the first tangible step of the construction process, of PNS Tasnim – the fifth Hangor-class submarine named after Pakistan’s 1971 war hero Vice Admiral Ahmad Tasnim.

Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Niazi said the eight new Hangor-class submarines “will play a leading role in catering to the operational needs of Pakistan Navy” which continue to “develop naval potential, improve shipbuilding infrastructure and equip platforms with advanced weapons and sensors to counter traditional as well as asymmetric threats.”

Pakistan’s submarine program

Pakistan is developing eight Hangor-class submarines under a transfer of technology agreement with China signed in 2015 to modernize and double the size of its submarine fleet. Under the $5 billion defense agreement, four submarines are currently under construction at the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group (WSIG) shipyard in Wuhan. The remaining four will be constructed at Karachi Shipyard, with the work on two already underway. The first PNS Hangor is expected to be launched in 2023 but the rest are slated for delivery during 2025-2028.

Hangor-class and Yuan-Class Type 039A

The Pakistan Navy Hangor-class submarines are a variant of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Type 039B Yuan-class. China operates nearly 20 Type 039 attack submarines. The Type 039 diesel-electric boats are known as “one of the quietest diesel-electric submarine classes” as it employs air-independent propulsion (AIP) to help mitigate underwater endurance limitations of diesel-electric submarines and increase the endurance from days to weeks.

Hangor-class submarine project

The Hangor-class submarine is capable of undertaking a variety of missions as per operational dictates. “The submarine possesses advanced stealth features and is fitted with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors to operate under multi-threat environments and can engage targets at stand-off ranges” according to Pakistan Navy.

Specifications

• Length: 76 m
• Displacement: 2,800 tons
• Draught: 6.2 m
• Speed: 10 knots

Pakistan Navy submarines

The Pakistan Navy’s current fleet includes five diesel-electric submarines – two French Agosta-class and three Agosta-90B. The navy also operates three MG110 mini-submarines in service with Pakistan Navy’s Special Service Group (SSGN).

List of submarine classes of Pakistan Navy

Hashmat-class – Pakistan operates two Hashmat-class submarines that are based on the French Agosta-class submarines. Its weapons systems are capable of firing torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.

Khalid-class – Pakistan operates three Khalid-class submarines that are Agosta-90B-class. These submarines were upgraded by Turkey in 2019 with the entire sonar suite, periscope systems, command, and control systems, as well as the radar and electronic support systems, to be replaced by Turkish defense firm Havelsan. It will also be fitted with Aselsan’s Zargana Torpedo Countermeasures System. Only one modernized submarine PNS Hamza has been delivered so far.

Cosmos-Class – Pakistan operates three Cosmos-class mini submarines designed by an Italian company. These are called X-Craft by Pakistan Navy and used for special operations. These are 28 meters long with one propeller and displace 119 tons submerged. It can stay underwater for 20 days at a time.

Hangor-class – Pakistan ordered eight of these submarines from China in 2015. These are based on the Chinese Yuan-class and will be equipped with AIP systems.