Overview
- Naval chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf told China’s Global Times that the eight-boat Hangor program is progressing and the first submarine will be commissioned in 2026.
- The agreement calls for delivery or local assembly of all eight diesel-electric attack submarines by 2028 in a deal reported at up to US$5 billion.
- Four submarines are being built in China and four will be assembled in Pakistan, with three hulls already launched from a Hubei shipyard into the Yangtze River.
- Officials say the new boats will strengthen patrol and deterrence in the North Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
- The navy is exploring work with China on unmanned systems, artificial intelligence and advanced electronic warfare, as SIPRI data show Pakistan accounted for over 60% of China’s arms exports from 2020 to 2024.