{"id":12972,"date":"2022-12-26T08:44:31","date_gmt":"2022-12-26T06:44:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=12972"},"modified":"2022-12-26T17:01:39","modified_gmt":"2022-12-26T15:01:39","slug":"pakistan-begins-building-two-submarines-to-accelerate-naval-modernization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/pakistan-begins-building-two-submarines-to-accelerate-naval-modernization\/","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan begins building two submarines to accelerate naval modernization"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Sana Jamal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan\u2019s 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan marked the keel laying of its fifth and steel cutting of the sixth Hangor-class submarine<\/span><\/a> on December 24 in Karachi. The first four are under production in China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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\u2019s 1971 war hero Vice Admiral Ahmad Tasnim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan Navy Chief Admiral Niazi said the eight new Hangor-class submarines \u201cwill play a leading role in catering to the operational needs of Pakistan Navy\u201d which continue to \u201cdevelop naval potential, improve shipbuilding infrastructure and equip platforms with advanced weapons and sensors to counter traditional as well as asymmetric threats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
The eight Hangor-class submarines are being developed under a transfer of technology agreement Pakistan signed with China in 2015. (Image Credit: Pakistan Navy)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan\u2019s<\/strong><\/strong> submarine program<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hangor-class and Yuan-Class Type 039A<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pakistan Navy Hangor-class submarines are a variant of China\u2019s People\u2019s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Type 039B Yuan-class. China operates nearly 20 Type 039<\/span><\/a> attack submarines. The Type 039 diesel-electric boats are known as \u201cone of the quietest diesel-electric submarine<\/span><\/a> classes\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
China’s Type-039C submarine. (Image Credit: Creative Commons)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Hangor-class submarine project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hangor-class submarine is capable of undertaking a variety of missions as per operational dictates. \u201cThe 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\u201d according to Pakistan Navy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n