Pakistan Navy recently unveiled their fourth Hangor-class submarine, PNS Ghazi, marking another step in their ongoing naval modernisation program. The ceremony took place at a shipyard in China, with senior military officials from both countries attending as a show of defence cooperation between both nations.
PNS Ghazi is part of Pakistan and China’s joint Hangor-class submarine project to enhance Pakistan’s undersea warfare capabilities, and involves building multiple advanced diesel-electric submarines under an agreement signed between both countries. Some submarines will be constructed in China while others will be built locally as part of an overall technology transfer and capacity-building effort.
Pakistan Navy officials state that Hangor-class submarines are designed to increase maritime security, deterrence, and operational readiness in their region. Equipped with modern sensors, weapons systems, stealth features, and operating effectively in complex maritime environments – they should help significantly enhance surveillance, intelligence gathering, defensive operations as well as increase maritime security overall.
Senior naval officials emphasized the significance of this project to Pakistan’s national defence. They stated that Pakistan Navy’s commitment to maintaining an effective maritime force capable of safeguarding Pakistan’s sea lines of communication and maritime interests through this induction of Hangor-class submarines is evidenced in their installation at this ceremony. They acknowledged China’s support through technical expertise, training programs, and shipbuilding cooperation agreements for this endeavor.
PNS Ghazi marks an increasing focus among regional navies on undersea capabilities due to security challenges and growing strategic competition in the Indian Ocean region. Analysts point out that submarines remain an integral component of modern naval forces due to their ability to operate silently while providing strategic deterrence.
The Hangor-class submarines are based on modern Chinese designs, modified specifically to meet Pakistan Navy operational needs. Once fully commissioned, these vessels will undergo extensive sea trials and testing before entering active service – according to naval sources, their phased introduction into service will gradually increase Pakistan’s underwater fleet in coming years.
Defence analysts recognize the program has an important industrial component. Construction of some submarines in Pakistan should increase local shipbuilding capabilities, develop skilled personnel and help spur domestic defence industry expansion – this supports Pakistan’s broader goal of becoming more self-reliant in defence production.
Pakistan Navy officials have indicated that their modernization efforts are defensive in nature and designed to maintain stability within the maritime domain. They further stated that their primary goals include safeguarding national waters, guaranteeing maritime security and contributing to regional peace via cooperative initiatives.
With the launch of PNS Ghazi, Pakistan Navy’s Hangor-class submarine program has reached a pivotal point. Over the coming years, as more submarines will be launched and commissioned, their operational capabilities and readiness should only grow in response to an increasingly complex maritime security environment.