RAWALPINDI (MNN); The Pakistan Navy on Wednesday marked another key milestone with the launch of its fourth Hangor-class submarine, Ghazi, at the Shuangliu Base in Wuhan, China, according to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military’s media wing said that with the launch of Ghazi, all four Hangor-class submarines currently under construction in China have entered the final phase, undergoing extensive sea trials before their eventual induction into the Pakistan Navy.
ISPR recalled that Pakistan had signed a comprehensive agreement with China for the acquisition of eight advanced Hangor-class submarines. Under the deal, four submarines are being constructed in China, while the remaining four will be built in Pakistan at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works Limited under a transfer of technology arrangement.
The submarines will be equipped with modern weapons systems and sophisticated sensors, enabling them to engage targets at extended ranges and significantly enhance Pakistan Navy’s operational capability.
According to the statement, Hangor-class submarines will play a vital role in ensuring maritime security, peace, and stability in the region. Senior officials from both Pakistan and China attended the launch ceremony, reflecting the growing defence and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
The first Hangor-class submarine was launched in April 2024, followed by the second and third vessels on March 15 and August 15 this year.
Named after the historic PNS Hangor, the Hangor-class is a diesel-electric attack submarine fitted with air-independent propulsion technology, allowing it to operate for longer durations without surfacing.
During the 1971 Pakistan-India war, PNS Hangor made naval history by becoming the first submarine since World War II to sink an enemy warship, destroying an Indian frigate. The submarine has since been decommissioned and is now displayed at the Pakistan Maritime Museum in Karachi.
