China hands over third Hangor-class submarine to Pakistan

admin — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 05:37:00 +0000

Officials of the Pakistan Navy and the China Navy during the launching ceremony of the third Hangor-class submarine in Wuhan, China, on August 16, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Facebook/Director General Public Relations Navy

China has delivered the third of the eight new “advanced” Hangor-class submarines to Pakistan as part of Beijing’s efforts to upgrade Islamabad’s naval strength to support its growing presence in the Indian Ocean, India’s backyard.

The launching ceremony of the third Hangor-class submarine was held in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei province, on Thursday, the state-run Global Times reported on Saturday (August 16, 2025).

Also read: China launches first of the 8 Hangor-class submarine built for Pakistan in 2024

The second of the eight submarines China is building for Pakistan was handed over in March this year.

This is in addition to four modern naval frigates that China supplied to Pakistan in the last few years as part of its efforts to boost Pakistan’s naval strength amid the Chinese navy’s steady expansion in the Arabian Sea, where it is developing the Gwadar port in Balochistan, as well as in the Indian Ocean.

Speaking at the launch of the third submarine, Pakistan’s Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Project-2 Vice Admiral Abdul Samad said the Hangor-class submarine’s cutting-edge weaponry and advanced sensors would be instrumental in sustaining regional power equilibrium and ensuring maritime stability, the daily quoted a Pakistan defence statement as saying.

Also read: India must remain proactive in countering combined naval threat from China, Pakistan: Parliamentary Panel

According to a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China supplied over 81% of Pakistan’s military hardware.

Some of Pakistan’s key orders in the past five years include the country’s first spy ship, the Rizwan; more than 600 VT-4 battle tanks, and 36 J-10CE 4.5-generation fighters, according to the SIPRI database.

China supplied the first delivery of multi-role J-10CE fighter jets to the Pakistan Air Force in 2022, adding to its JF-17 fighters jointly manufactured by both countries. Pakistan used these fighter jets in the recent conflict with India.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the Hangor-class submarine is characterised by its strong underwater combat capabilities, including comprehensive sensor systems, excellent stealth characteristics, high mobility, long endurance and formidable firepower.

Published – August 17, 2025 11:07 am IST

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Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi On Pak Navy

admin — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 17:44:56 +0000

Indian Navy Chief asserted that by 2047 Indian Navy will be a full ‘Atmanirbhar’ force.

New Delhi:

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi on Monday expressed concerns about Pakistan getting equipment and weapon support from China saying it is very surprising how an economy that is “faltering and begging” for international assistance could muster the funds for armed forces’ modernisation.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, the Indian Navy Chief said they are keeping track of what is happening in the Pakistan Navy.

“I think more than a cause of concern, it is very surprising as to how an economy which is faltering and begging for international assistance could muster the funds for ensuring that their armed forces are modernised. We are keeping track of what is happening in the Pakistan Navy. What kind of weapons and platforms they are getting from various sources and we have got a strategy in place to ensure that maritime security in the region and our national maritime interests are not compromised,” Indian Navy Chief Admiral told ANI.

He was asked about Pakistan getting equipment and weapon support from China.

“As far as China is concerned, you are fully aware that it has become the largest navy in terms of numbers. That also we are keeping a track,” he added.

He further said that 63 ships are being constructed in Indian shipyards, which include Defence Public Sector Undertakings DPSUs, PSUs, as also private industries like L&T.

“The 17 Bravo ships are very capable 7000-8000 tonne frigates… As per our long-term integrated perspective plan, we are supposed to have 24 frigates so these 7 new stealth frigates will add muscle to that capability,” he said.

The Indian Navy Chief asserted that by 2047 Indian Navy will be a full ‘Atmanirbhar’ force.

“Indian Navy will be a full ‘Atmanirbhar’ force by 2047. I don’t think any further platforms from surface to sub-surface will be acquired from abroad. They will all be made in India… At the Naval headquarters, we have commissioned two task forces under a two-star rank officer who are now going into the industry and learning about the kind of technology we can imbibe to plug the gaps we are successful to a certain extent. I am looking at the next few months with great hope,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Pakistan Navy – Artifex.News

China hands over third Hangor-class submarine to Pakistan

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi On Pak Navy