The launch ceremony of the Pakistan Navy's third Hangor-class submarine is held in China in August 2025. Photo: Courtesy of the Pakistan Navy

The first batch of Hangor-class submarines under a China-Pakistan cooperation project is expected to enter operational service with the Pakistan Navy in 2026, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, told the Global Times in a recent exclusive interview. He said that the Hangor-class submarine program is progressing smoothly, and that the successful launch of the second and third submarines in China earlier this year is a major milestone for naval collaboration between China and Pakistan.

Pakistan signed a contract with China to procure eight Hangor-class conventional submarines in 2015, with the first four to be constructed by China and the rest to be assembled by Pakistan, so as to improve Pakistan's technical capabilities, according to open reports. According to the plan, Pakistan will acquire eight advanced submarines between 2022 and 2028. The first Hangor-class conventionally powered submarine was launched in China in April 2024, while the second and third vessels were consecutively launched this year.

Ashraf spoke highly of this China-Pakistan cooperation project. He said that the project is not only significant for advancement of the Pakistan Navy's submarine force capabilities, but will also contribute toward self-reliance through transfer of technology and skill development at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works. It reflects professionalism and close naval equipment collaboration between China and Pakistan.